An alliance to ‘further football development in the Balkans’ has been agreed between the Football Association of Kosovo (FFK) and the Kentaro Group.

The agreement will support the FFK in modelling itself on a professional football association as it looks to become part of Fifa and Uefa in the future. Kentaro will deal with global media, TV and sponsorship rights.

“We are delighted to be able to accompany the FFK on its way into international football,” said Philipp Grothe, chief executive of the Kentaro Group. “There is such an enthusiasm for football in the whole of the Balkans.”

Fadil Vokkri, president of the FFK and former Yugoslavia player, said: “As soon as Kosovo is recognised by the EU and the UN as an independent state, there will no longer be any obstacle to it becoming a member of Fifa and Uefa.

“It is particularly important for us to have a strong marketing partner at this stage who can help us with the organisation of friendly matches and with the creation of a professional marketing and association structure. When we finally get there, we want to be competitive. Together with Kentaro, we will establish Kosovan football.”