LALIGA and the RFEF sign separate cooperation agreements with the Chinese Football Association

LALIGA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation today both signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), consolidating and expanding strategic cooperation between the institutions for the development of football in China. Both agreements were formalized within the framework of the 10th Spain–China Forum, held in Madrid on 5 and 6 February. The MoU was signed by the President of LALIGA, Javier Tebas, and the President of the Chinese Football Association, Song Kai, while the agreement between the RFEF and the CFA was signed by the President of the RFEF, Rafael Louzán. Both signings were attended by Shen Yiqin, State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China; Concepción Andreu, Second Vice President of the Spanish Senate; and Sergi Torrents, Managing Director of LALIGA in China.

This dual signing reflects the coordination and joint commitment of the leading Spanish football institutions to promote structured, long-term cooperation with Chinese football. The agreement between LALIGA and the CFA establishes a three-year, renewable collaboration framework focused on the development of grassroots football, coach education, the exchange of technical knowledge, and the strengthening of ties between Spanish clubs and the Chinese football ecosystem.

Following the signing of the agreements, a panel was held on sports diplomacy as a bridge between societies. The session featured Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA; Rafael Louzán, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation; Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association; and Li Kemin, President of the Chinese Professional Football League (CFL), who highlighted the role of professional football as a tool for international cooperation, institutional dialogue, and closer ties between societies.

A comprehensive framework for the development of Chinese football

The Memorandum of Understanding covers, among other areas of cooperation, the design of programs for the training and development of young Chinese players in Spain, including placements at Spanish club academies; the education and upskilling of Chinese coaches at LALIGA clubs; as well as the exchange of tools and knowledge for talent identification. In addition, the agreement will facilitate the participation of Spanish clubs in educational and sporting initiatives, as well as the development of competitions, friendly matches, and exchange programs between academies in both countries.

Cooperation and LALIGA’s experience in football development

The relationship between LALIGA and the CFA has been consolidated over recent years and has seen very recent milestones. In 2024, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) launched a training program for grassroots academy directors. As part of this initiative, the CFA and LALIGA organized two intensive training programs in 2025 in Kunming and Madrid, with the participation of LALIGA instructors and clubs. This new agreement adds to other strategic initiatives developed by LALIGA in China, such as the consultancy agreement signed in 2025 with the Chinese League to boost professional football in the country. In addition, 2025 marked the launch of LALIGA Academy Shanghai.

These actions are underpinned by LALIGA’s accumulated experience in academy and youth football development, through the National Plan for the Improvement and Optimization of Academies, and by the work of its Football Projects area, which since 2015 has delivered more than 900 projects in 60 countries and trained over 24,000 coaches.