March 24 – The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the Korea Football Association (KFA) have formalised a new cooperation agreement aimed at driving technical development in Korean football and deepening commercial ties between one of Europe’s most broadcast leagues and one of Asia’s most engaged markets.
Signed last week in Seoul, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines joint plans to advance youth development and exchange league and club operational expertise, starting with the launch of the first Korean edition of the Bundesliga Dream project — a talent incubator that’s already seen more than 200 of Asia’s most promising young footballers test themselves in Germany’s elite academy system.
Korea’s U-16 men’s national team will train with Bundesliga clubs 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV as part of preparations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this November. Two players will be selected for an additional week of training, continuing the model used in 10 previous Bundesliga Dream editions across Asia.
Beyond technical collaboration, the partnership positions the Bundesliga to grow its commercial footprint in Korea, a market that has consistently delivered high engagement for German football, buoyed by the presence of players such as Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae and Mainz’s Lee Jae-sung.
From the KFA’s perspective, the deal allows for structured knowledge-sharing around league operations and club development, with a stated aim of enhancing the K League’s competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
The Bundesliga is one of the most active European leagues in Asia, where its commercial strategy has focused on youth-focused activations and talent exchange.
While the DFL’s development work is pitched as long-term investment in regional football growth, it also aligns with efforts to solidify brand loyalty and media rights value in key Asian territories ahead of future cycles.
Bundesliga International Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer Peer Naubert said: “From Bum-Kun Cha to Min-jae Kim, the Bundesliga is proud of the deep-rooted association it has with Korean football, which spans many decades. By formalising our long-standing relationship, both sides have made a clear commitment to one another, and I am particularly pleased to have Bundesliga Dream as a core element of this partnership. Through this player pathway, we not only support the development of football in Korea, but create more opportunities for talented young players to train and hopefully one day play in the Bundesliga.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1742995708labto1742995708ofdlr1742995708owedi1742995708sni@g1742995708niwe.1742995708yrrah1742995708
