Brisbane Roar have launched a newly-branded ‘B’ team led by head coach Borja Souto, the A-Leagues club announced.
Souto arrives in Brisbane to lead the club’s ‘B’ team, which will serve as the Roar’s official reserve side and launching pad for the best up and coming talent in Queensland, where they will train daily among the Isuzu UTE A-League squad.
Under Souto, the ‘B’ team will be closely aligned with Michael Valkanis’ first-team squad in Brisbane’s pursuit of unearthing more local talent like Lucas Herrington, Thomas Waddingham, Macklin Freke, Noah Maieroni, Quinn MacNicol, Sam Klein and James Durrington.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
“I want to welcome Borja to the football club in what is a crucial role,” said Roar CEO Kaz Patafta. “His announcement, along with the creation of Brisbane Roar ‘B’ is a statement of how vital our development pathways are at the football club.
“With access to the best of the best here in Queensland, Brisbane Roar ‘B’ is without doubt the place to be for aspiring young footballers here in Queensland who want to be immersed amongst a professional environment every day.
“I look forward to watching Borja develop and nurture the best Queensland talent.”
Holding a UEFA A Pro License and having coached in the likes of Spain, Turkey, Israel and China, Souto’s ‘B’ team will be positioned within the club as a key pillar in their developmental pipeline and act as a bridge between youth and professional football.
HE SAID WHAT? EVERY word from your Isuzu UTE A-League coach after Round 1
TALKING POINTS: Coach puzzled by rival’s methods in post-game swipe – ‘What we saw isn’t that’
Homegrown talent will be subject to a top-tier professional environment daily across both Meakin Park and Brendale training facilities, with the ability for those who excel to be called directly into the club’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s team for training and competitive matches.
Souto will oversee his first session with Brisbane’s B team when their pre-season commences in November.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
“I am extremely pleased to be taking on the role of head coach for Brisbane Roar B and want to thank Michael and the football club, for their belief in me,” said Souto.
“I am excited to be here in Brisbane and to start immediately, with the aim of taking more great Queensland talent and preparing them to become professionals here.”
Roar’s Isuzu UTE A-League head coach Valkanis continued: “During my time working with Borja at Adana Demirspor and Hapoel tel Aviv, I saw firsthand his expertise and skills.
“It is because of this that I have no doubt he is perfectly suited to the role of head coach for Brisbane Roar B.
“Brisbane Roar B isn’t just an NPL team, but rather an extension of our A-League Men’s squad and I look forward to working alongside Borja here at the club to develop the best Queensland has to offer.”
