FC Porto and Onnereds HK, handball club of the First Division of Sweden, signed a cooperation agreement, which aims at helping the Dragons get closer to the Scandinavian school of handball, one of the most prestigious in the world, if not the strongest.

The deal established several areas of cooperation, from the creation of training camps and signing of players; scouting, with both clubs having the mission of helping in the observation and selection of athletes from both countries; loans and exchanges of players from the main and youth team; holding training camps in Porto and in Gothenburg, with joint preparations; joint participation in tournaments in both cities, among other areas.

Magnus Andersson believes that both clubs can gain from this partnership: “They are a great handball club. They don’t win many titles, but they work with youngsters a lot, they have several teams. I think that this exchange of knowledge will be great for everyone, both for the players and coaches and for the clubs. Besides, for me, it has special feeling of being a Swedish club”, the coach admitted.

Adelino Caldeira, vice-president of FC Porto, also explains that this agreement is “another step that shows the ambition this club has to be at the level of the best in the world”.

“It is, in fact, the next step in all the work we have been doing and which has the results we all know. A strategy that began with signing Magnus Andersson, an elite coach and living legend of the sport, continued with signing players from Scandinavia, like Sebastian Frandsen, from Denmark, and now Jack Thurin, from Sweden, and Nikolaj Laeso, also from Denmark, who have already been announced for next season. This is another step in the approach of FC Porto to a market that interests us a lot, as we are talking about countries that are World and European champions”, the blue and white vice-president continued, referring to the recent conquests of Denmark and Sweden.

On Onnereds HK’s side, Johan Sylwan, sporting director, shares the satisfaction for the agreement reached. “We see many advantages in this protocol, in several areas: training, organization, and also for our youngsters, who will have a better idea of how a top club in Europe works. The entire club can benefit from this. We have some youngsters who want to be elite players, but FC Porto is at the top level. We can learn from their coaches, create training camps and so on. It will be a great opportunity for us”, Johan believes.

Magnus Andersson adds that this deal will also bring two different cultures closer together, but that can “learn from each other”: “We will get a better idea of how they do it in Sweden. Not only for me, but even for the future of FC Porto, it is important to have a good cooperation with them, to work with them, learn from them and I believe that they can also learn from us.”

Johan Sylwan also pointed out the “honour” it is to work with FC Porto, “such a big club, with so many fans”. “I hope that we can also give something to FC Porto with this agreement”, he concluded.

The protocol signed is valid for two years and may be automatically renewed for another two, except if one of the parties decides not to renew.