RIASA MEN

15+ YEARS OF PROVEN SUCCESS providing pathways into the world of european football

“The best thing about RIASA is the opportunities it provides. If you use all of the resources that RIASA has to offer, you can develop your soccer a lot. It’s such a great community here - it’s like one big family!”

Since 2010, our men’s programme has provided hundreds of ambitious young footballers with a pathway to develop their game in the UK alongside our bespoke dual-accredited US/UK degree.

Our student-athletes train 4+ times per week throughout a 9-month season and compete in multiple leagues and competitions across England. Weekly fixtures offer the chance to face opposition with professional and semi-professional backgrounds, creating a highly competitive environment that accelerates development on the pitch.

Players at RIASA also have the chance to pursue external opportunities with well-established clubs across the country. Over the years, students have trained, trialled, or signed with clubs such as Bradford City, Carlisle United, Mansfield Town and Huddersfield Town, while others have taken their careers overseas into European leagues.

Showcase events and our annual European Tour provide additional exposure for those aiming to break into the professional game. These experiences offer players the chance to impress coaches and scouts in both domestic and international settings — helping to create realistic pathways into football beyond university.

If you’re serious about your soccer career and want to take the leap, you can apply for our men’s programme below:

APPLY HERE

CHOOSE YOUR SIDE

RIASA LEEDS

Our bespoke, original programme

In Leeds, our male student-athletes work towards a 4-year International Sports Management degree, with the option to continue as a postgraduate. Our bespoke academic pathway blends seamlessly with an elite football schedule, providing a unique balance of education and athletic development. Students also have the opportunity to explore minor courses such as Marketing, Data Analytics and Psychology to broaden their skill set beyond the pitch.

Leeds is one of the UK’s most vibrant student cities, located near major football hubs such as Manchester and Liverpool. Our beautiful campus in the suburb of Headingley offers the perfect environment for aspiring athletes — a place where players can train, learn and grow with world-class facilities, a 9-month competitive season, and endless opportunities to push their game to the next level.

Night aerial view of a sports complex with illuminated football, hockey, and rugby fields, located near a city with a river and houses in the background.

Choose from 30 degrees in the capital

RIASA LONDON

Our London programme provides male student-athletes with exceptional academic flexibility, offering 23 undergraduate and 7 postgraduate degree options through Richmond American University London. Whether your passion lies in Business, Media, International Relations or the Arts, you can study what inspires you while receiving high-quality coaching and competing throughout the year.

With 17 professional clubs in London and countless academies and semi-professional teams, the capital is one of the most exciting football cities in the world. RIASA London gives players the chance to live and train in a world-renowned sporting environment, surrounded by opportunity, culture and pathways into the professional game. It is the ideal option for athletes wanting maximum academic freedom alongside elite football development.

KARL BROWN

HEAD OF FOOTBALL - LEEDS PROGRAMME

As Head of Football for the RIASA Leeds Programme, Karl Brown brings a wealth of elite-level knowledge from one of the most successful football academies in the world. Having progressed through the Manchester United Academy alongside a golden generation of English talent such as Paul Scholes, Karl understands what it takes to reach the highest standards in the professional game. His background provides our student-athletes with insight into the mentality, discipline, and technical precision required to stand out in elite environments.

After graduating as a player, Karl returned to Manchester United in a coaching capacity, where he worked with some of the brightest young prospects in the modern game, including current Premier League talents such as Kobbie Mainoo and Anthony Elanga. His experience coaching at the highest youth level gives him a deep understanding of modern training methods, tactics, and player development pathways.

Karl’s expertise shapes the identity of the RIASA programme, guiding players both on and off the pitch. He prioritises progression, accountability, and performance, ensuring that each student-athlete receives individualised feedback and long-term development plans. His ability to recognise potential and refine it into tangible progress makes him an invaluable mentor for students looking to pursue careers at higher levels of the game or enter football professions beyond playing.

Under Karl’s leadership, RIASA men gain the tools, confidence, and understanding needed to break into pathways across the UK, Europe, and beyond..

Contact Coach Karl