Five feeder clubs for Premier League teams from past and present

The Red Devils have a long-standing partnership with Belgian second division club Royal Antwerp, with former players such as John O’Shea, Darron Gibson, Ryan Shawcross, Craig Cathcart, Frazier Campbell and Jonny Evans among those who benefited from the experience of first-team football there.

United have also cunningly exploited the Belgian set-up’s relaxed employment laws, having previously sent Dong Fangzhou to Antwerp after his signing in 2004, as he was loaned out for experience while an European work permit was completed as well.

The reigning English champions struck a deal with Dutch club Vitesse back in 2010 and have seen plenty of young Blues talents gain valuable first-team action within the Eredivisie side’s ranks.

Nemanja Matic spent time in the Netherlands and has clearly benefited from such a loan switch, as well as permanent time away from London before a welcomed return, while Tomas Kalas and Gael Kakuta are others who have made the move in recent years.

Jose Mournho’s side are currently struggling to retain their title, but could see youngsters return next year with plenty to prove, with Isaiah Brown, Danilo Pantic, Nathan and Lewis baker all presently learning their trade on loan with Vitesse.

Thanks to the Pozzo family, fronted by businessman Giampaolo Pozzo, Watford have had an agreement in place with both La Liga outfit Granada and Serie A side Udinese, with all three clubs owned by the same Italian clan.

Since adding the Hornets to their list of investment opportunities, the Pozzos have sent many players between their other set-ups in Spain and Italy and the newly-promoted top tier club. Some of these include Almen Abdi, Matej Vydra and Gabriele Angella, though Giampaolo has since handed over Watford duties to his son Gino, who is based in London.

Not an official partnership next, but the Toon have been known to secure signings from Ligue 1 side Lille and have evidently held a strong French connection in recent seasons.

Both Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy were snapped up by the Magpies from Lille, while current attacker Florian Thauvin was once on the French outfit’s books, joining Marseille before eventually ending up at St James’ Park after countless attempts to capture him.

Steve McClaren may have to dive deeper into their connection with French starlets in January after a stuttering start to his tenure with the Toon, as they lie haplessly at rock-bottom and are 11/10 to face relegation.