A YORK-based football agency has teamed up with York City FC to run a soccer coaching programme in the USA.

i2i Sports, who are also the owners of Tadcaster Albion, are working together with York City’s Richard Cresswell to run a development programme for teenage players in Utah.

The company will take five experienced coaches over to the USA in July where any standout players will then be offered the chance of a trial with York City.

Around 150 players are expected to take part in the week-long programme, which is hoped to be rolled out to a wider audience in the future.

i2i Sports Director Kent Mayall said: “These are very exciting times for i2i Sports. We’re not only working hard to raise the company’s profile, but we’re also working hard to find the next big talent.

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with York City on this exciting venture, and hopefully between ourselves and Richard, we’ll be able to develop a lot of young players, whilst hopefully spotting one or two future stars.

“There are some very talented players in the USA, many of whom are currently on an Olympic Development Programme, so it would be great to see one of them coming over here to pull on a York City shirt.”

Cresswell added: “The partnership between i2i Sports and York City is very exciting and I’m delighted to be able to share in their vision of developing young players into the professional game.

“i2i Sports operate like a professional football club and the opportunity to scout for new talent in the USA is an exciting prospect.”

i2i Sports was set up in 2013 to help and support footballers who are looking for a new club or simply trying to get into the professional game.

The company has since been made a Licensed Football Agent by the FA and is committed to helping more York-based players make it into the professional game.

i2i Sports Director Matt Gore said: “I’ve coached the York Schoolboys side for 13 years, so I know what talent we have here in our local area. We want to see York-born players competing in the highest leagues, and we’ll be doing all we can to help them achieve that goal.”