FC Porto is set to expand its international football academy network with the launch of the first Dragon Force by FC Porto school in Cyprus, scheduled to open in October 2025.

The initiative is the result of a partnership with Wondereserv LTD, a business consultancy, and PAEEK FC, the historic Kyrenia-based club currently playing in Cyprus’s second division.

According to Dragon Force Executive Manager Ricardo Frey-Ramos, the project aims to instill Porto’s philosophy and values in young Cypriot players, focusing on both football skills and personal growth. “We want young Cypriots to learn according to FC Porto’s philosophy and values, promoting not only their development as players but also as individuals,” he said.

Wondereserv LTD will oversee local operations, while PAEEK FC Chairman Demos Georgiades emphasized the importance of the collaboration, noting it would raise training standards and create new opportunities for local talent.

The academy will introduce FC Porto-certified coaches, sports science support in nutrition and psychology, and programs for multiple age groups. The goal is to identify and nurture Cypriot talent while fostering community engagement around football.

Dragon Force is FC Porto’s official youth development and talent-identification project, first established in 2008. It comprises a network of “Dragon Force” football schools—more than 35 in Portugal and abroad—operating under a unified methodology and quality standard. The goal is not just to train future footballers, but to shape all-round individuals, embedding values, discipline, and life skills alongside sporting development.

Unique among club academies, Dragon Force operates under a verified ISO 9001 Quality Management System for all its schools and events, ensuring consistency in training, operations, and standards. Over time, it has become a significant feeder into Porto’s main academy — about one third of Porto’s youth players reportedly come through Dragon Force.