Crystal Palace Football Club are delighted to announce that they have launched an Academy and Developmental Club in the United States of America.

The club, which will be called Crystal Palace FC USA, will have a system for identifying and developing the best young talent in the United States. The club will play host to Under 9 through to Under 18 teams, with the top of the pyramid being a United Soccer Leagues (USL) side.

The USL serves as the FIFA affiliated second and third divisions in the US, under Major League Soccer. The Baltimore, Maryland based club will train and play at the finest facilities in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Dominic Jordan, Vice Chairman, added: "We see this as a vital extension of our already growing recruitment network. The facilities and people involved in the CPFC USA are first class and just as importantly, represent a true extension of the Palace way of doing things.

"We continue to make investments in the Club's future and are excited by the prospect of our investment giving us access to the top US youth talent, in what is without doubt, one of the fastest growing football nations."

The venture appears to be bearing early fruit, as after a successful trial period, one of the outstanding USA youth players is likely to be coming to Crystal Palace in the coming season.