BT Sport Inks England Development Teams Broadcast Deal

British sports broadcaster BT Sport have signed a four-year deal to show England development team matches, beginning with the U21s’ crucial European Championship play-off match against Croatia on Friday 10 October.

The deal continues the broadcaster’s coverage of all the U21s’ home qualifiers for their Euro 2015 qualification campaign so far and extends to the Young Lions’ future home competitive and friendly matches until 2018.

BT Sport will also cover one England U17s game and one England U19s game each season over this four-year period, providing a huge boost to the national development teams.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “We’re delighted to be showing the Young Lions on BT Sport. Youth development is important to the future of our national game and now our viewers will be able to watch the stars of the future in action, exclusively live, on BT Sport.”

Gareth Southgate, England Under-21 Head Coach, added: “BT Sport’s continued support of the England Under-21s is great news and by including younger development teams in their coverage it means fans will be able to watch some of the country’s most exciting prospects even further down the age groups.”

Southgate’s side take on Croatia on Friday 10 October at Molineux, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.