Bundesliga Side Hannover 96 To Invest $27.4M In New Youth Academy

Bundesliga club Hannover 96 will invest €20M ($27.4M) "in a new youth academy and new construction," according to Michael Nicolay of BILD. The club and the city "have agreed to transform the historic Eilenriedestadion into a new youth academy." Hannover Mayor Stefan Schostok said, "The solution is very good and has a great long-term perspective." The stadium's field "will be rotated by 90 degrees, its historic stand renovated and new locker rooms installed." In addition, the stadium "will get two new stands to provide seating for 2,500 spectators." The club will also build a "new three-story boarding school with room for 16 players." The building will include state-of-the-art amenities and be located in "close proximity to the stadium and the academy's five practice fields." Construction "is expected to start in the summer of '15." Club President Martin Kind said, "It is an investment into the future and in our competitiveness" (BILD, 5/16).