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The Sheffield Wednesday Academy has formed an alliance with Michigan-based club The Kalamazoo Outrage to enhance youth development programmes on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Owls have been in discussions with the US-based club for several months and will work with TKO to improve opportunities for players currently in the Wednesday youth set-up as well as those in Michigan.

Academy manager, Sean McAuley, believes the partnership will bring a host of benefits for both the Owls and their North American counterparts but stressed the relationship would enhance prospects for youngsters currently in the SWFC youth development programme rather than replace British players.

"We are delighted to announce this partnership with TKO as it will bring numerous benefits to both clubs," McAuley said.

The Kalamazoo Outrage will start their first competitive season in the summer of 2008 and Sheffield Wednesday's involvement will mean that they are working in partnership before TKO take to the pitch in earnest. The community-orientated club have a men's team set to compete in the third tier of American soccer as well as a national team competing in the W-League for women's football.

"We were contacted by TKO in the States and after discussing how we can work together we have decided to form an official partnership," McAuley said. "The partnership will focus on developing our players rather than replacing them. Often when clubs form affiliations with overseas partners, young players have to start looking over their shoulder, fearing that they will be replaced by the next African, Brazilian or Chinese player to come along.

"However, our partnership with TKO in Michigan will present players with an opportunity to play for another club if they are struggling to make the grade with us. Also, if we have a young player who is injured in the latter part of the season he may be able to go and play in the States because their season starts in May or June, during our close-season. This will allow players to continue their development and play up to 18 games in the US, which can only be a positive thing in bringing them on as young players."

Another aspect of the partnership will see staff from the SWFC Academy undertake coaching courses for the players in the USA during the summer, which builds on continuing work undertaken by McAuley in Vancouver, Canada with FC Victoria.

Ties in Vancouver will continue to be developed while the Academy is keeping tabs on the possibility of forging a similar set-up in Argentina through former player Juan Cobain.

"We are still looking into the possibility of a relationship in Argentina but we have to ensure that it would be beneficial to Sheffield Wednesday," McAuley insisted.

"One of the main benefits of working with clubs in North America is that most youngsters have European heritage and if the talent is there it means those players would be able to come and play for Sheffield Wednesday much more readily than if they were from South American countries where the proportion of European descendents are much lower. Around five per cent of Argentineans have Italian heritage so there could be benefits there but most Brazilians would not be eligible to come and join our Academy so we have to ensure that partnerships are formed for the right reasons."

Wednesday World will have an extensive interview with Sean McAuley this week regarding the TKO partnership. There will also be an exclusive interview with academy product Sean McAllister on his recent loan experience at Mansfield Town.