Adidas and Stormzy have announced the next phase of their #Merky Football Careers partnership to support young people in the community.

The latest part of the initiative will evolve into a year-round platform run in collaboration with #Merky FC’s recruitment partner Diverse, providing young people of UK black heritage with employment opportunities and careers resources throughout the year.  

The platform will serve as an online destination supporting both the current cohort who are already in roles, and the wider community who have applied for roles. 

Throughout the year, young people will be able to find and apply for roles available in the football industry, receive advice and guidance on career development, alongside exclusive access to networking opportunities and events hosted by Diverse.

In May, the music star and the sportswear giant opened#MerkyFC HQ, a new football centre in Selhurst, Croydon, south London, to give the local community “much-needed facilities” including football pitches, a state-of-the-art recording studio, a sports gaming hub and multipurpose rooms.

Steve Marks, senior director Brand Communications at Adidas said: “As a platform for the football industry at large, we are excited to launch year three of #MerkyFC Careers. The first two years have created a solid platform, and it is the right time to shift the programme to a year-round platform, creating more awareness and extended opportunities to continue to drive equity in the UK football business.

“The fact a high percentage of the recruits are being retained beyond their initial year placement is a testament to the concept and one that we are extremely proud of.”