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Vardar Forms Partnership

By Karen Read, 01/20/22, 7:45AM EST

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VARDAR SOCCER CLUB AND TOLEDO CELTICS SOCCER CLUB FORGE A PARTNERSHIP
 

Rochester Hills, MI/Toledo, OH - Vardar Soccer Club and Toledo Celtics Soccer Club have announced a major partnership spanning across Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio. This partnership opens relations between one of Michigan’s premier soccer programs and one of Toledo’s elite soccer clubs. It will forge opportunities for regular and competitive exhibition matches between the clubs, a player exchange that allows for talented players to play in appropriate environments, and a collaborative curriculum and resource exchange. “This is a partnership that makes sense, given the strength, history, and consistency that each club has in its respective home,” says Vardar Director of Coaching, Morris Lupenec. “Each club has proven its success over decades in both Michigan and Toledo, and the geographic proximity makes this a great working friendship.”

The most integral part of this new partnership is the player exchange that allows talented individuals the opportunity to succeed and thrive in an environment fit for their level of play. Toledo Celtics players will enjoy opportunities at the ECNL, MLS Next, MSPSP, and MYSL. “This will give Toledo-area players the chance to display their abilities on the biggest stages of American youth soccer. It is an unparalleled opportunity for Toledo-area players today, and it is only made possible through the cooperation and collaboration between Toledo Celtics and Vardar,” says Toledo Celtics Chief Executive Officer, Lee Aliakbar.

Vardar Soccer Club and Toledo Celtics Soccer Club will kick off their partnership with a set of exhibition matches to take place February 5th. These friendlies will bring highly competitive, Detroit-based teams to Toledo, and will open the door for regular matches between the clubs in both Rochester Hills and Toledo, exposing the best talents from both areas to each other on a more consistent basis.

Vardar Soccer Club and Toledo Celtics Soccer Club will also be engaging in a collaborative curriculum and resource exchange. Both clubs have existed for over a combined 75 years. This exchange is a significant step forward in the progression of youth development for soccer across Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio.