Borussia Dortmund and Cerezo Osaka Announce Official Club Partnership Focused on Youth Development.

Roger Hampel

Image: Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund and Cerezo Osaka have announced a new official club partnership, formalising a long-term collaboration centred on youth development, data-driven performance structures and international football exchange.

The agreement builds on existing cooperation between the two clubs, including a friendly match played in Osaka in summer 2024 and previous exchanges involving the women’s teams. The partnership positions youth development as its core pillar, with Borussia Dortmund set to play an operational role in strengthening Cerezo Osaka’s internal development infrastructure.

Strategic Focus on Youth Development and Data Infrastructure

At the centre of the partnership is a commitment to professionalising youth development pathways in Japan. Borussia Dortmund will assign a full-time expert to Cerezo Osaka, with a primary focus on supporting the club’s data analysis and performance development structures.

BVB’s academy is widely regarded as one of the most productive youth development platforms in European football, having consistently produced players for both domestic and international markets. Through this partnership, Dortmund extends that expertise into the Japanese football ecosystem, aligning with broader European trends of exporting development know-how rather than purely commercial assets.

Talent Pathways and Women’s Football Exchange Borussia Dortmund

The partnership also includes reciprocal development opportunities across men’s and women’s football. Promising talents from Cerezo Osaka’s academy will be given opportunities to train in Dortmund, gaining exposure to European training environments and performance standards.

In women’s football, the cooperation builds on existing links, including previous friendly matches and Borussia Dortmund’s inclusion of Japanese player Sara Ito in its women’s squad. The clubs confirmed that further exchanges involving players, coaches and technical staff are planned as part of the agreement.

This multi-layered approach reflects a broader shift in international club partnerships, where sporting integration and knowledge transfer increasingly replace traditional commercial-only collaborations.

Executive Comments

Mr. Hioki, CEO of Cerezo Osaka, described the partnership as a strategic step for the club’s long-term development:

“We are thrilled to officially partner with Borussia Dortmund, a club renowned for its excellence in youth development and its commitment to innovation. This collaboration will provide invaluable opportunities for our players, coaches, and teams.”

Benedikt Scholz, Director Internationalization and Commercial Partnerships at Borussia Dortmund, highlighted the partnership’s role within BVB’s international strategy:

“This partnership represents a great opportunity to strengthen ties between our clubs and contribute to the growth of football in Japan. We are excited to share our expertise and work closely with Cerezo Osaka to create impactful development pathways for young talents.”