Stoke City have agreed a formal alliance with Germans St Pauli.

The Potters, who already have a strategic partnership with Orlando City, are entering a similar arrangement with the Bundesliga outfit.

The idea is to liaise in terms of player and coach development as well as "share best practice and business expertise".

Chief executive Tony Scholes said: "We are always looking at new ways to develop, both in the technical programme in terms of player and coach development and player recruitment and also in off-the-field matters, by looking to share knowledge and expertise with our peers wherever possible. We believe our partnership with St Pauli will allow us to do both.

"Like us, St Pauli are embedded in their local community and there will be things that, inevitably, both clubs do very similarly.

"However, St Pauli have a different approach to the business of football that has earned them a cult following around the world and we're keen to tap into their knowledge as much as they are keen to tap into ours."