Sheffield United help shape the future of Saudi football

Prince Musa’ad bin Khalid Al Saud, United’s recently appointed chairman, confirmed this month’s fixture at Bramall Lane will enable coaches from both teams to share ideas and pool their knowledge.

"We're delighted to be welcoming the Future Falcons to Bramall Lane and the training ground at Shirecliffe,” he said. “This is an exclusive system back in Saudi and we're always looking to share ideas to benefit the club and potential partners in the future.”

The Falcons, who consist of youngsters scouted from the Saudi Arabian Pro League, are based at a centre near Tarragona, Spain; where they receive expert coaching designed to accelerate their footballing development.

United are expected to select a squad comprised predominantly of players from their own youth programme for the match, which takes place at Bramall Lane on Tuesday 17 March. (Kick-off 7pm).

HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who appointed his son-in-law Prince Musa’ad as chairman after taking control of United last year, has spoken in the past about strengthening their links with the game in his homeland.

Before serving as Saudi Arabia’s General President of Youth Welfare, a role which is the country’s equivalent of sports minister, he served as chairman of Al-Hilal FC.

Prince Abdullah also holds a controlling stake in Belgian outfit Beerschot and Jan van Winckel, one of his closest advisors on United’s board, holds a senior position with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

"Hopefully the game will showcase some of the best young talent from Saudi Arabia and our own youngsters who are on a journey through our academy,” Prince Musa’ad added.