International Football Soccer Academy in Spain
Owned by Grupo Baskonia Alavés, The International Football Academy with Deportivo Alavés is for male and female footballers ages 14 - 23 that are pursuing international football experience and development, and seriously considering a career in soccer. The centennial Spanish Club just promoted back into the highest Spanish professional league, La Liga, and currently competes against world renowned clubs such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The Deportivo Alavés Femenino side compete in the ladies professional Spanish league, Primera Federación FUTFEM.
The Deportivo Alavés official International Football Academy enables footballers from around the globe with the opportunity to train and potentially compete officially for a Deportivo Alavés team according to age, ability and necessary approvals. Players in the international football program use the same facilities and resources of the professional teams and Academy players.
With a long history of success in Youth Soccer Development, the international football academy of Deportivo Alavés in Spain, offers a variety of short and long-term programs, focused on developing quality players while fostering personal development and international education. Opportunities for advancement to the Deportivo Alavés Youth Academy and Senior professional soccer teams exist for players who demonstrate exceptional quality and according to the decision of the club management. Restrictions may apply for players under 18.
Deportivo Alavés
A historic Spanish soccer team founded in 1921
Deportivo Alavés is a professional football club located in Vitoria Gasteiz (awarded as the green capital of Europe in 2012). Vitoria is located in northern Spain, close to the border with France and 3:30 hours away from Madrid and 5 from Barcelona.
Deportivo Alavés just promoted back into the highest Spanish professional league, La Liga Santander (men’s team) and in the Spanish first division Liga F (women’s team). Among its main achievements were:
- 17 years in the First Division LaLiga
- Promoted back to LaLiga for 2023-24 season
- UEFA Europa League runners-up in 2001
- Return to the LFP in 2012-13
- Return to the First Division in 2015-16
- First Copa del Rey final in 2016-17
- 6 consecutive seasons in the Spanish 1st. Division
Youth Soccer Programs focused on Talent Development
The Deportivo Alavés International Football Academy in Spain follows the same training methodology used by the Club Youth Academy and provides their international players all access to the same facilities used by the First team for training.
Players of this Residential Youth Soccer Academy in Spain, will be evaluated upon their arrival to determine an individual plan to reinforce weak-points and boost their strengths. Players train together led by the International Academy coaches and club coaches accordingly throughout the week and compete in friendly competition or official competition depending on the players status and ability. During the program academy players will have weekly competitive matches against affiliated teams or Deportivo Alavés teams and others of good standing in the area.
All the academy coaches and physical trainers leading practices have UEFA Pro Licenses and speak English.
Deportivo Alavés Youth Academy Program
All the programs with Deportivo Alavés International Football Academy are designed to develop and build a smart player able to adapt to the modern game following the traditional style of the club.
- Academy kit pack
- 8 to 10 training sessions per week (team work with the club and Physical-Tactical individual or small group training sessions)
- Methodology and Work plan with Deportivo Alavés that includes individual training and weekend competitions
- Meet and Greet with professional footballers
- Access to club staff: doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, etc.
- Residence and Full Boarding
- Continuous scouting by Deportivo Alavés recruitment staff
Long-term Soccer Programs
10-month Pro Soccer program
This soccer program in Spain has a duration of 10 months (September to June) and is geared towards competitive players who are looking to pursue a career in soccer and continue with their education.
The workflow will be the same used for any Deportivo Alavés Youth Academy player, and with the same access to club staff and facilities.
6-month Pro Soccer program
This long-term soccer program is the same as the 10-month program except that the player can choose the start and end of the program
Both options include school education or language course.
Short-term Soccer Programs
The training program is possible from 1 month up to 3 months
With this pro program option, the player has the possibility to start at any time throughout the year, being placed with 10-month and 6-month program group players to start their soccer training. With this option the education is optional for additional cost.
Soccer Tryouts for the Pro Soccer Program
Tryouts takes place at Academy Deportivo Alavés Training Complex in Vitoria. For boys & girls ages 14-23 years old. Private tryouts are available throughout the season and according to player level, age, and eligibility to play in Spain. Please inquire with us to request an application and quote.
Deportivo Alavés Academy - Full Accommodation
Deportivo Alavés Academy provides all international players with first-class accommodations in its Player's Residency*, Divan Vitoria Gasteiz Apartments or Salburua Aparthotel. The Apartments** feature a reception and information service, weekly cleaning with change of sheets and towels, and other amenities that give players an array of services of a hotel as in their own home.
Other services
- Free WiFi in all rooms
- Double sofa beds
- Smart TV
- Large windows
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Video intercom in every room
* Availability at the player's residence is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
** Each Double-Room apartment is shared by two players.
Deportivo Alavés Academy Facilities
In addition to the player's residence, Deportivo Alavés International Football Academy players have access to the sport complex Bakh. Bakh incorporates the latest technology used in player development offering fitness studio, rehabilitation rooms, and wellness.
On-field training sessions take place at Ciudad Deportiva JL Compañon which has 2 artificial turf pitches and other 2 natural grass pitches. These facilities are the same fields use by the First teams and Youth Academy Teams for training.
Ciudad Deportiva Betoño, a sport complex with 4 pitches and 1 football-7 indoor pitch is also utilized for training sessions. Betoño is walking distance from the residence and where morning individual training sessions take place with focus on physical and technical preparation.
Deportivo Alavés proudly owns the Mendizorrotza stadium, where the First team takes on La Liga teams during home fixtures.
DA International Academy Educational Programs
Deportivo Alavés International Academy's main shared goal is for the players to be able to continue their academic studies throughout their development as a soccer player, therefore, school/university program is included in the long-term duration programs. A whole team of professionals will ensure the academic and professional attention and guidance of all students.
INTERNATIONAL ON-LINE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM (14-18 years)
High School Students can follow the American Curriculum with AESA PREP, an AdvancED accredited and NCAA Approved private college-prep school offering online educational programs for 9th through 12th grade students. The School program with Deportivo Alavés International Academy offers official curriculums characterized by greater flexibility that allows adapting subjects and teaching load to the circumstances of the soccer athletes.
Link to AESA Prep International
EUNEIZ UNIVERSITY (18 years and older)
EUNEIZ is a private university, located in Vitoria-Gasteiz integrated into the Basque University and Spanish System. Its key role is to provide the higher education service through teaching, study, lifelong learning, research and the transfer of knowledge and technology.
The EUNEIZ University campus is set in the Green Belt of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is located in the well-known “Edificio Vital” building in the Salburua neighborhood and very close to the Interpretation Centre of the Salburua Wetlands and the BAKH, the Alaves Baskonia Sport City (Baskonia Alavés Kirol Hiria).
EUNEIZ currently offers the following degrees Physiotherapy, Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Multimedia and Music Production and Sound for the Entertainment Industry.
Link to EUNEIZ University
Program Videos
Program Photos
Program Details
Program Variations
(*) This program does not include Airfare & Mandatory Insurance or Spanish language Course. You can select this item as an add-on at checkout.
(**) This program INCLUDES Airfare & Mandatory Insurance as well as Spanish Language Course.
(***) This program INCLUDES Airfare & Mandatory Insurance but does not include Spanish Language Course.
LATE APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS
We register a limited number of players each season, so if you are interested in the program, we recommend that you submit the application as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT: Medical Insurance is mandatory for all non EU citizens. For players attending the 6- or 10-month Academy program, the cost of medical insurance is included. However, for those attending the 1- or 3-month program, it must be selected at checkout.