The London club’s chief executive Peter Kenyon said it had penned a strategic alliance with AEG – operators of four teams and developers of a number of existing and in-progress stadiums.
The partnership will begin in the summer of 2007 with the staging of a tournament, which will take place every two years, involving Chelsea and a host MLS club.
The alliance with AEG will also include a club-to-club relationship between Chelsea and MLS champions LA Galaxy, an agreement to enhance and market the Chelsea brand in the US and promotion of grass roots football activity.
Kenyon explained: “This is a unique, ground-breaking relationship that not only demonstrates our commitment to the development of US soccer, but will also help Chelsea work towards its aim of becoming the most popular European club in the US, one of our key target markets.”
Chelsea's business affairs director, Paul Smith, added: “Chelsea's involvement in US football will be from top to bottom. We will not just fly in and fly out for the tournaments.
“By building the profile and interest in Chelsea in this way we are confident we can expand our business and build a platform for increasing our fan base, merchandising and sponsorship opportunities.”
