BURNLEY are hoping to land the best young talent from across the Atlantic after linking up with one of North America’s most respected college clubs.

The Clarets yesterday announced a formal partnership with Cary U23 PDL team – who are to be re-branded as Cary Clarets – and Next Level Academy from North Carolina.

An initial two-year deal is aimed at developing Academy-based and first-team players for Burnley, who in turn have pledged to provide full backing to the Cary Clarets in the shape of sharing training methods, aiding youth development and helping to establish the Cary brand.

The partnership follows Burnley’s 2008 summer tour of the USA, when they played Cary in a pre-season friendly.

And by trying to exploit a largely untapped US market - and, in turn, spread the club’s global scouting network - Martin Dobson, Burnley’s Head of Youth Development, hopes it will lead to unearthing some hidden gems in America.

“From our point of view, we’re always looking for top-quality players. That’s the bottom line,” said Dobson.

“As well as looking for those youngsters on our doorstep, we’re constantly looking to make progress outside the UK.

“Players will be recommended to us and then they will be assessed by our coaches and scouts. If they come close to what we are looking for, then we’ll bring them over.”

Dobson added: “I’ve coached in America and the talent is there. Football is getting stronger all the time.

“American sports are very aggressive, but football is more to do with skill and that’s what more kids are interested in.

“They want to play football and more parents are encouraging them to play football.

“In America, the foundations are in place for kids to play football at every age group, from eight upwards to 19.

“But the problem is in the upper scene – getting into the professional game. Whereas we have a strong system in England, it is quite weak in America. That’s where we are looking to benefit.”

It is not the first instance that an English club have forged links with a US-based ‘feeder club’, with Stoke City affiliated with USL First Division outfit Austin Aztecs.

And Burnley’s operational director Brendan Flood is confident that the club’s cross-Atlantic partnership will bear fruits over the coming years.

“There is no doubt that Cary has an exceptional college set-up in the United States that we can hopefully tap into,” said Flood.

“The standard of players their Academy produces is high and we hope that working with Cary we can help both organisations to prosper.”

The Cary U23s are a member of the American Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

Headed by former professional player Damon Nahas, the club has built a strong reputation as one the country’s top college set-ups.

Nahas said: “We see this as a relationship that will help both clubs, but initially we aim to identify American players that have the potential to play in the English game.

“At Cary, we feel we have a proud tradition of developing young talent, as was seen when Cary hosted Burnley in a pre-season game in July.

“Since then the two organisations have been in constant dialogue as we have similar philosophies and interests to look towards developing young players.

“Hopefully, the tie-in will prove to be a fruitful one and both Burnley and the Cary Clarets can enjoy a long and prosperous working relationship.”