Sparsholt College have confirmed a link up with Saints with the aim of producing player’s for the club’s academy.

The “Sparsholt/Saints Elite Centre” for ages 16-19 years will be based at the college’s campus just outside Winchester with links directly to the Saints academy.

The aim is for a high quality competitive squad, which will compete in elite level leagues and competitions with the fundamental goal of producing players for the Saints academy.

Players will have a detailed personal programme that will encompass vital aspects of a footballer’s requirements to succeed in the modern game.

Matt Crocker, academy manager at Saints, said: “We are delighted to be linking up with Sparsholt College on this exciting project. We recognise that talent is something that needs to be nurtured over time and this programme allows for that.

“We will work closely with Sparsholt College on areas such as technical programming, sport science, psychology and education to give the players the individual support they need to progress to the next level.”

As part of the programme, players will undertake an academic course studying a BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma in Sport.

The association to the Saints academy gives players the opportunity of joining a programme directly linked to a Premier League club at the highest end of the British footballing system.

Elite Centre players will be given an opportunity of regular visits to the Saints academy base at Staplewood to join in training and play in matches.

The Sparsholt/Saints Elite Centre will run in addition to the already very successful Sparsholt Football Academy (Tier 1, 2, 3) programme.

It was from this system that Isaac Nehemie, who had joined the programme in July 2012, gained a full scholarship with Saints in November 2012. Sparsholt are hoping to have further successes with the new Elite Centre.

Neil Benson, Sparsholt Football academy manager, who previously worked as a head coach at Saints’ academy over a successful six year period, said: “We offer a fantastic opportunity at Sparsholt/Andover to develop U16-U19 players/students on and off the pitch. If you have the ability and potential and are prepared to work hard to maximise your talent then we will certainly endeavour to help you achieve your goal.

“I have the highest respect for Matt Crocker, SFC Academy Manager and the Southampton staff for what they have achieved with player development over a period of years. This new Elite Centre will see a close relationship develop between Sparsholt and Southampton FC’s Academy which I am sure will prove beneficial to both parties.

“Whilst we are striving to take players to the highest end of the Academy system, equally important is seeing individual development of players at all levels in our programme. We pride ourselves on helping them along with their chosen career pathway.”