Everton have announced a new partnership with Global Football America, the company that runs the Toffees’ official supporters’ club—Everton USA—in the United States.

The agreement, which is the first of it’s kind in European football, will see the Toffees provide various offers to their supporters from the USA via new website, evertonusa.net. According to Everton’s official website, fans in North America will now have exclusive access to matchday tickets, travel packages and US-specific merchandise.

Everton’s American goalkeeper Tim Howard, who shone for the United States at the 2014 World Cup, was naturally delighted by the announcement:

The Toffees have been a growing presence amongst soccer supporters Stateside since the Brazil showpiece. Howard’s magnificent performances stirred a flurry of interest in the Merseyside club, as did the articulate and amicable analysis of manager Roberto Martinez for ESPN during the tournament.

David Kurtz, the owner of Global Football America and Everton USA, had this to say following the announcement:

With this initiative, Everton will be the first European club to finally address the American market with the products and services that they have been desperate to access.

The popularity of European soccer in the US is growing exponentially and Everton truly understands this growth.

As we’re all acutely aware of, the popularity of soccer in the United States is perennially on the rise, and it’s wonderful to see a club of Everton’s stature taking part in such an initiative.

Ultimately, both the club and supporters from North America will benefit from this partnership; it’d be a major surprise if other teams from across Europe didn’t follow suit.

For my interview with Everton USA from earlier this year, click here.