The Kingz road

Chelsea's amazing spending spree continued today... when they bought into a football club Down Under.

The Russian revolution of new owner Roman Abramovich has now extended to New Zealand as Chelsea today joined forces with Auckland club Football Kingz in a deal aimed at giving them direct access to some of the best rising talent in Oceania.

The Kingz, who play in Australia's National Soccer League, will also be used as a breeding ground for Chelsea's youngsters in a partnership which will open up further commercial opportunities for the London club who have spent £37million on new players this summer.

Chelsea chief executive Trevor Birch said: "It gives the opportunity for our players to gain experience in a different environment, gives Chelsea access to the best talent in New Zealand and Australia and opens up playing and coaching exchanges.

"It will give a pathway for players in New Zealand, Australia and Oceania to a worldclass football team. We have seen players such as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Brett Emerton and others come through the region."

Manchester United have led the way with buying into feeder clubs throughout the world and Chelsea know the commercial value of links with the rising football nations. Birch is confident the new partnership with Football Kingz will prove fruitful for the Chelsea brand name.

"The partnership will drive the Chelsea brand in the Australasian region, it opens up merchandising opportunities and because the Football Kingz are 10 per cent owned by Sky TV - as are Chelsea FC - we can exchange TV content, run competitions for both sets of our supporters and add value to our sponsors such as Emirates," he said.

"The partnership will also continue to lift the profile of football in the region."

Chelsea are also continuing their drive to sign Juan Veron but Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists the Argentine is happy to stay at Old Trafford.