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At the International Center of European Football (the ICEF) in France, players from around the world train at the highest level each day and compete against the best professional clubs and academies in the world. It is a unique experience to live in a fully immersive soccer campus that will benefit their lives beyond sport.

Leverage your unique qualities

A high performing student-athlete will inevitably arrive at a stage of their development path where they will need to not only have leadership qualities, but also display them. Particularly in soccer, leadership qualities emerge amongst players who are fully dedicated to learning, have encountered a vast number of scenarios, and are exemplary in their efforts. The International Center of European Football in Europe serves as the ideal environment for an elite athlete to live a fully immersive experience and mature into a true leader and go from talented to unstoppable.

ICEF is the #1 pro soccer academy with resources, facilities, and an environment that allow ambitious players to grow and develop all the qualities needed to reach the next level in soccer. ICEF brings the ideal environment for the elite athletes to live a fully immersive experience and mature into true leaders.

A strong sense of community

Players from over 23 nationalities unite at the ICEF to pursue their dreams of playing professionally in Europe and at the collegiate level in the USA in the future. Through having the same ambitions, the players challenge themselves and each other to do their best both on and off the field. In this unique setting, players learn how contribute positively a group and positively impact a team’s chemistry and morale.

The ICEF enables players to create strong bonds with fellow students and teammates that last well beyond their time at the center and go across international borders. In a multicultural environment, residents will get to discover new languages, customs, and norms. By living with each other on campus, the ICEF offers an exceptional experience that promotes growth and encourages young individuals to develop soft skills such as adaptability, open-mindedness, and leadership.

An important emphasis on academic success

The International Center of European Football is committed to providing accredited education programs that equip student-residents for excellence, partnered with a culturally enriching environment. Prestigious institutions partner with the ICEF to offer a wide variety of academic programs including American Middle & High School, Bachelors and Master’s Degrees, ACT & SAT prep, and College counseling.

Throughout the year, educators provide tutoring and a personalized academic plan to each student ensuring they are making steady progress and succeeding in the classroom. There is a set balance in the daily schedule of its residents with defined time for football, classes, activities, entertainment, and rest. Students also have time allotted weekly for quiet study and homework for the week ahead. The students are constantly challenged to attain their highest scores and academic potential.

An all-around soccer development

Student-residents who join the ICEF live in the heart of Europe, with state-of-the-art facilities and UEFA certified coaching staff, thus opening the door for an exceptional humane and football experience. Players are given personalized attention and receive specific programs to optimize their game, while also having access to specialists in a wide array of fields. From an expert body movement specialist to a nutritionist, to a sports psychologist as well as a physiotherapist, players have access to experienced professionals to increase their strengths and work on their areas of improvement.

The ICEF ensures a holistic approach to professional football preparation, including Career Orientation Courses, workshops, and masterclasses. These courses teach student-athletes the important aspects of life as an aspiring professional player. Hosted by guest speakers, including pro football players and other successful professionals in the football and sport industries, these courses convey a holistic view to inspire student-athletes to turn their passion for football into a prosperous career rich in accomplishment

At the ICEF, players will be exposed to the European methodology of football as well as a fully immersive experience that will enrichen their lives in the long term. They will be equipped with increased maturity, knowledge, skills as well as a better understanding of what they can bring to a team at the highest level.
Want to play soccer in Europe?
Join the #1 European pro football academy

The ICEF tryouts welcome elite international players born between 2000 and 2010, to integrate the rosters of the ICEF for the 2022 – 2023 season.

Two different application processes are available to give players the chance to be part of the ICEF Europe for the 2022 – 2023 season.

  • In-person tryouts are hosted at both the Paris Saint-Germain Academy USA Campus (Broward County Stadium, Florida, USA) or at the International Center of European Football in Evian (France).
  • An online tryout process has been developed to enable every applicant to receive an assessment and be evaluated to join the ICEF.

Apply now for the 2022-2023 season

Humanities Teacher, History, Geography, American Government

Claire Watts

Claire joined the Academy in 2021 and currently serves as Head of the Humanities Department. Originally from North Carolina, she completed her studies at the University of Oregon, earning degrees in Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and French, along with a SLAAT teaching certification.

Her academic journey was also the start of a great personal adventure: on her very first day at university, Claire met a French student who would later become her husband. They married just two days after graduation (where she graduated with honours) and moved abroad together two days later.

At the Academy, Claire is known for her compassion, her passion for the humanities, and her dedication to ensuring her boys have a wonderful experience. Outside the classroom, she enjoys dancing, organizing dinner parties, and traveling the world to visit historical and archaeological sites.

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English and Literature Teacher / Academic Advisor

Amy Bench

Amy joined the academy in 2021 and currently leads the English Department. Originally from the UK, she holds a degree in English Literature and a PGCE in Secondary Education from Lancaster University. With over a decade of international teaching experience, Amy has worked in the UK, Italy, and France, including at two of the UK’s top high schools and an international school in Turin. 

In 2016, she moved to the French Alps, inspired by her passion for the mountains. Outside the classroom, Amy is an avid hiker, climber, snowboarder, and traveler. She is also a certified yoga instructor and regularly organizes yoga, meditation, and art workshops at the academy offering a holistic approach to learning.

French Teacher

Héloïse Evans

Héloïse is a native French speaker, who studied French language and literature at University in France before moving to the UK. While living in the UK, Héloïse pursued a teaching qualification at Brighton University and went on to teach languages in a variety of schools in the south of England. Héloïse has 15 years of experience teaching students from a young age through to the end of high school as well as taking on pastoral roles. 

After living in the UK for nearly 10 years, she decided to return to the beautiful region where she was born, to raise her family amongst the foothills of the Alps. She loves spending time outdoors, hiking or skiing in the mountains with her family. Teaching has always been Héloïse’s passion and she delights in passing on her love of the French language. She is always looking for new and innovative ways to challenge and inspire her students to help set them on the path to a fulfilling and successful future.

Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Junior Science Teacher

Emma Newman

Emma is a British teacher with 20 years of teaching experience across all phases of education. Her background includes 10 years teaching high school and junior school in London, where she held Pastoral and Departmental Leadership roles. She then spent 9 years at a London university, training graduate and postgraduate students to become teachers themselves. 

Emma relocated to France in 2021 to follow her passion for outdoor activities and broaden the life experiences of her young daughter. Outside of teaching Emma enjoys the vast range of sports and activities that the nearby mountains and lakes offer. Having joined the PSG Academy Pro teaching team in 2023, Emma has been keen to create a positive learning environment, linking scientific topics to football as well as the previous knowledge and experiences of her students.

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Math, Physics & Chemistry Teacher

Hans Kolster

Hans is a Dutch mathematics educator with extensive experience in private international schools. Passionate about inspiring students, he believes in building strong relationships, setting high standards, and helping each individual realise their full potential.

Three years ago, Hans moved to the French Alps to embrace an active lifestyle in a stunning setting.

Now in his fourth year at PSG Academy Pro, he feels privileged to be part of a dedicated team, and is excited to support motivated athletes who are working hard to turn their dreams into reality. 

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ESL Teacher, Communications Coordinator

Barbara Hill

Barbara is a native British English speaker with 20 years of international teaching
experience. After earning her Bachelor of Education from Manchester Metropolitan
University in 2005, she taught in the UK, Australia, and France across public, private, and international schools.

Drawn by her love of mountains, she relocated with her young family to Thonon-les-Bains, where she enjoys the Alpine region of the mountains and lakes. She spends her free time skiing, cycling, swimming and having adventures with her family and friends.

At PSG, Barbara aims to inspire student-athletes to embrace new challenges and thrive, creating a supportive environment where they are motivated to achieve both their academic goals and personal passions.

Program Director

Leandro Cruz

Leandro, a native of Brazil, had a professional career as a football player before transitioning into education. With 15 years of experience in the French school system, he has dedicated his career to guiding student-athletes toward both academic and athletic excellence.

Beyond the classroom, he plays a crucial role in securing college placements for high school graduates, ensuring they successfully transition to higher education while balancing their sports commitments.