FOUR-TIME Red Stripe Premier League champions Harbour View FC are in the process of exploring the possibility of twinning their youth academy with that of the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Portland Timbers.

General Manager Gavin Wilkinson of Portland Timbers, accompanied by FIFA Agent and former Reggae Boy Damani Ralph, visited Harbour View’s base for three days to hold discussions with the club’s management.

Ralph, also a former Harbour View player, represents Global Premier Management, a player agency based in the United States.

According to Harbour View general manager Clyde Jureidini, talks are ongoing but no deal has been inked as yet.

“Ongoing discussions between the parties have been taking place for some time now, hence the visit by the first MLS official to explore association aimed at our academy programme development over the next few years.

“Both Wilkinson and Ralph attended daily training sessions of all our Premier League teams that included Under-20, Under-17, Under-15 and Under-13 players, their coaches, managers and board members,” Jureidini said.

He pointed out that an internal meeting will follow, aimed at reaching a formal agreement.

— HURBUN WILLIAMS