Lens have this afternoon unveiled a new partnership with Armenian outfit Sardarapat FC, with the Sang et Or to help the the third division club develop its youth academy, as well as setting up a men’s and women’s professional team.

The Ligue 1 side – who are currently second in Ligue 1 – organised a press conference this morning, with academy director Eric Assadourian, a former Armenian international himself, introducing the project alongside Sardarapat’s founder Sevan Karian. The former notably explained that the “mentality” and “philosophy” he sees in young Armenians correspond with those Lens look for.

Sardarapat, based in the western city of Armavir, had been in contact with Assadourian but also Lens owner Joseph Oughourlian, another French of Armenian descent. 

Lens will ostensibly be hoping to bear the fruits of the partnership by being first to any emerging local talents, with Assadourian explaining that the Caucasus region is emerging as a hotbed of talent, as evenidence by Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as well as Armenia’s own Henrikh Mkhitaryan.