LONDON: Lebanon鈥檚 Nejmeh Sporting Club has signed a cooperation agreement with Premier League side Arsenal F.C.

As part of the agreement, Arsenal will assist Nejmeh at academy level, coaching of age-group teams and in business-related areas such as administration and marketing.

Nejmeh鈥檚 President Asaad Saccal instructed club director, Jamal Al-Jurdi, to follow up on the English club鈥檚 offer of assistance.

Nejmeh Sporting Club is only one of a few Middle Eastern clubs to have received such an offer from one of England鈥檚 long-standing premier football clubs.

Nejmeh S.C. is based in the Manara district of Ras Beirut. The Beirut derby with Ansar has historically been the most anticipated game in Lebanon.