Overseeing the academy will be Dinamo Zagreb's managing director Damir Vrbanovic, a current member of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and on the board of the European Club Association.

The academy was signed off by Football Federation Victoria last week and the club says it gives local talent a chance to get a foothold into European football.

“We have already pipelined two [players] into Europe through our own junior and first squad development programs so this is just going to strengthen that,” said Knights chairman Matt Thomas.

au.fourfourtwo.com will speak with Knights chairman Matt Thomas later this week to find out the implications such an academy has for young Aussie talent.