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FC Porto continues to strengthen its international expansion strategy with the launch of a new Dragon Force by FC Porto academy in Bengaluru, India, in partnership with Alchemy International Football Academy.
FC Porto President André Villas-Boas states that “this new project represents another solid step in the club’s internationalization process, bringing FC Porto’s identity, methodology, and values to one of the most promising football markets in the world.”
Through its Dragon Force structure, FC Porto will now be present in India with a long-term development project aimed at training young talent, developing coaches and managers, and actively contributing to the sustainable growth of football in the country.
The operation in Bengaluru will take place at the modern Center for Sports Excellence, one of India’s leading sports infrastructures, widely recognized for its outstanding conditions for athlete training and development. This setting reinforces, from the outset, the quality, professionalism, and ambition of the project.
The choice of Bengaluru is strategic. Recognized as one of India’s main hubs for innovation and development, the city offers ideal conditions for launching a project with high growth potential and long-term impact. The goal is to establish a solid base in the city and, at a later stage, progressively expand to other regions, reaching an increasing number of young athletes across the country.
Founded in 2013, Alchemy International Football Academy is a benchmark in grassroots and youth football development in India, having pioneered the introduction of international-standard training methodologies in the country. The academy has been ranked as the No. 1 International Football Academy in India for nine consecutive years by the AIFF and achieved a 4-star rating in the AIFF Academy Accreditation for 2025/26, reinforcing its leadership position in the sector.
The President of Alchemy International Football Academy, Sunanda Das, states that “it is a great honor to establish this partnership with FC Porto.”
“We believe this collaboration will significantly raise the standards of football development in India. Dragon Force by FC Porto brings a world-class methodology and a clear development vision that will benefit not only players but the entire football ecosystem in India,” she adds.
According to Ricardo Frey-Ramos, Director of Dragon Force, “this partnership with Alchemy International Football Academy results from a shared vision and strong strategic alignment between both institutions. We strongly believe in the country’s potential and in our ability to build, together with Alchemy, a solid, sustainable project with a real impact on football development. Our objective is clear: to create strong foundations in Bengaluru and, in the medium term, expand to other cities, reaching more and more young players and consistently contributing to the growth of football in India and the creation of new opportunities.”
