CAFC Soccer Finland

Charlton fought off interest from a number of Premiership and European clubs to sign then Finland U16 international Jani Tanska, after striking a four-year collaboration agreement with Finnish Cup winners MyPa 47 FC in November 2004

The Addicks entered into an arrangement with MyPa - full name Myllykosken Pallo 47 - to organise player and youth coach exchanges between the two clubs as part of CAFC Soccer Finland, with Tanska's transfer kicking the deal off.

Charlton therefore have first option on any other promising players developed by the Finnish side, which won the Finnish Cup in 2004 and the Veikkausliiga (the Finnish top flight) the following year.

"The collaboration evolved out of the transfer involving Jani Tanksa, who was with MyPa at the time,” said Charlton chief executive Peter Varney.

"He was a much coveted player, with clubs such as Internazionale of Italy chasing him.”

Under the agreement, there will also be mutual training camps at academy level and a number of management and coaching exchanges, with academy manager Steve Gritt basing his thesis on the club's work as part of the requirements for his academy director's license. Added Varney: "While the focus is on youth players, the deal in Finland is slightly more wide-ranging than some of the other overseas agreements.

"Effectively, players can move between the two clubs, so young Charlton players looking to gain experience could move to Finland as well.

"It's very much a two-way process, and Jani Tanska did return to MyPa briefly on loan before they signed another central defender.

"In addition, MyPa assist us with our scouting network in the country, and not only do they make sure we are aware of their players, they also pass on information about the players in other teams in Finland as well.”

MyPa are also keen to learn from the Addicks' award-winning community work, and set up similar projects in Finland, and discussions have taken place regarding a pre-season tour at some stage.