Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler have teamed up to take over the running of the Merseyside club's iconic Melwood training ground.
Jurgen Klopp's first team left their historic home in August 2020 for a new £50million purpose-built facility on the site of their own academy in nearby Kirkby.
Regeneration group Torus took ownership of Melwood and developed plans for a mixed-use affordable and sustainable housing scheme linked to the local community.
As part of this, the Fowler-Carragher Academy will take on operational responsibility for the existing building, which will offer training and educational opportunities to youngsters across the city and wider region.
Honoured to be the new custodians of Melwood @Carra23 @WeAreTorus
Follow us @ThisIsMelwood @fefaUK pic.twitter.com/NJv31tfO3m— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) May 14, 2021
Discussing the announcement, Fowler and Carragher said: "Partnering with Torus to kick off the new chapter in Melwood's history was a natural fit for the Fowler-Carragher Academy and our mission to give local kids and young people opportunities to aspire and succeed.
"We are extremely excited to provide the unique offer of a fantastic education alongside a professional football programme backed by sport science experts.
“Melwood will provide the opportunity of extending our offer and creating a beacon of national excellence, which we set out to create in 2015.”
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor also weighed in on the announcement and expressed hope that similar projects may folllow.
“We are pleased to support this project in principle, with particular regard to looking after those of our former members in need,” Taylor said.
“We hope Melwood could become a national blueprint for such supported housing projects.”
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