When Sheffield United considered buying their sister club Beerschot
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The Star understands that a delegation from Bramall Lane visited the Olympisch Stadion while United were still under dual ownership, spending around three days in Antwerp and undertaking research on the Belgians’ first team and academy programmes.
Beerschot’s youth system, regarded as one of the most successful in the region, was a particular source of interest for the party from South Yorkshire with Jan Vertonghen, Radja Nainggolan, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermaelen among its high-profile graduates.
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Hide AdAlthough they extolled the benefits of pressing ahead with the proposed purchase at the time, it was not until 2018 when HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud made his investment as part of a joint enterprise with construction company DCA. A year later, the Saudi Arabian gained sole control of United following a High Court battle with fellow shareholder and former director Kevin McCabe.
Beerschot are now part of United World - the organisation which also includes Al-Hilal United, Kerala United, Chateauroux and of course United themselves on its portfolio.
Intriguingly, although the latter’s acquisition was not officially finalised until last month, there is evidence the Ligue 2 outfit had been integrated into UW strategy before the January transfer window.
Prince Ibara, capped 13 times by the Republic of the Congo, moved to the Stade Gaston Petit on loan from Beerschot soon after Christmas havig cut short a short a year long spell with Neftci Baku in Azerbaijan.
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Hide AdIbara, who has also played in Tunisia, Qatar and Algeria, has scored twice in seven appearances for Chateauroux. George Broadbent, a midfielder with United’s under-23’s, is scheduled to spend the rest of the Jupiler Pro League campaign with Beerschot before returning to England later this year.
An unused substitute during meetings with Royal Antwerp and OH Leuven, Broadbent had made two appearances for Will Still’s side - against Club Brugge and Mechelen - before suffering an injury during training.
UW’s desire to encourage collaboration between the clubs beneath its umbrella also extends to executive positions, with two officials at Kerala United previously working for Al-Hilal United in the Middle East.