Not sure what comes next? That’s where this starts.
For many players, the transition after high school isn’t clear - college, pro, or something in between.
The IDA Valencia program is built for players who aren’t done yet. Whether you're taking a gap year or looking to elevate your level before committing to your next move, this experience gives you the time, structure, and environment to keep progressing.
As a leading Spanish football academy, IDA Valencia provides elite training, state-of-the-art facilities, and competitive opportunities in partnership with various local soccer clubs in Spain.
Intensive training and a competitive schedule, with a minimum of 12 hours per week on the field.
Full-board accommodation in sports residence minutes away from downtown Valencia.
Highly qualified coaching staff with years of experience in dealing with international students.
Training & trial opportunities with professional and semi-professional clubs. Past IDA players have had successful trial with both Villarreal CF & CD Castellon.
Spanish lessons with a native Spanish speaking teacher are provided to the players.
A full-time football experience with purpose
This is not a short-term camp.
At IDA Valencia, you’ll:
It’s a year designed to help you improve, gain exposure, and prepare for what’s next.
This pathway is ideal for players looking to:
Improve their NCAA recruitment profile
Pursue professional trials
Close the gap before college or pro entry
Develop physically, technically, and tactically
Train, compete, and develop in a full-time professional environment in Valencia - designed for players ready to take the next step after high school.
Through its partnership with Surf Nation, IDA extends the Surf pathway beyond the U.S., providing players with access to structured international development opportunities.
Together, Surf and IDA create a connected pathway that includes short-term training experiences, international competition, residential programs, and college placement support - all within a professional and aligned framework.
This collaboration ensures that players can continue their development in trusted, high-performance environments, while staying connected to the broader Surf ecosystem.
The mission of the international development academy is to become the global leader in the development and placement of players aspiring to reach their full potential at the professional or college level.
IDA staff and players will act with intelligence, respect, and compassion.
IDA staff and players will perform with their best effort and attitude, no matter how difficult the challenge.
IDA staff and players will aim high in order to reach their goals.
"Their commitment to pushing us, to getting us to play at our highest level is because they know what it takes to get a scholarship and reach that goal. They were really involved in the whole process, both on and off the field. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The IDA Valencia Gap Year Football Program places players in the heart of Spanish football.
Based just outside Valencia at the Mas Camarena Resort, student-athletes live and train in a full-time environment designed to mirror the professional game - with daily sessions, competitive fixtures, and a fully integrated residential and training experience.
With on-site fields, gym, and dining, players are immersed in a high-performance setting where everything is built around their development - both on and off the pitch.
For players with college ambitions or long-term pathway goals, training in one of Europe’s most technical and demanding football cultures provides a valuable edge - helping you to return more prepared, more confident, and ready for what’s next.
Spain offers:
Daily immersion in the Spanish game accelerates development and understanding.
Student-athletes in Valencia benefit from:
This model allows players to continue their education while fully committing to their development.
Many American families choose the Spain pathway because:
This is a strategic alternative to the traditional U.S. college route - helping players return better prepared.
IDA Valencia players benefit from:
This mirrors a professional academy structure - not recreational university sport.
At IDA student-athletes from all around the world receive a professional academy soccer experience coupled with a specific, personalized academic program.
TRAINING HRS./WK
Compete against local semi-professional teams and academies in the area
Self-paced and mastery based.
Highly-Qualified Coaching Staff
Games
IDA will have a separate competitive schedule, made of weekly matches against different types of rivals depending on the period of the season, from professional La Liga academies to semi-professional academies and top teams from the area.
Athletics
At IDA Valencia, we provide a comprehensive player development experience for all our players. Upon arrival, players will be assessed during the pre-season by our coaching staff which will help initiate the individual player plans. In addition to the training regimen, player plans will include placement within our Academy Teams and/or our partner clubs such as UD Vall de Uxo, CFA Quart de Les Valls or UD Betera.
"Looking back and comparing myself from last year to this year, the difference is almost incomparable. The coaching staff has really taken it to a whole new level."
THE MISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY IS TO BECOME THE GLOBAL LEADER IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLACEMENT OF PLAYERS ASPIRING TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AT THE PROFESSIONAL OR COLLEGE LEVEL.
“Designed by athletes and educators, we understand your schedule, your priorities, your unique goals, and your struggles facing academics. We offer solutions, not more road-blocks. We have created a community, a flexible school schedule, and a support system unlike any other.”
- Rick Angelicola, Director of Education
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Our student-athletes and their parents have access to their individual 360 Player profiles. This integrated platform provides the student-athletes the access to calendars, video analytics, player assessments, wellness assessments and more!
You can't have an elite academy without an elite coaching staff. At IDA Valencia, we’re proud to have over 40 full-time staff dedicated to player development on and off the field.
Each member of our team is hand-picked through a rigorous interview process to ensure they bring the experience, energy, and professionalism needed to create a productive and growth-focused environment for our players.
At 19, IDA Valencia alum Jeremy signed with Real Madrid, training with first-team stars and debuting on the club’s U.S. tour. He’s since extended his contract and joined Hércules CF on loan, continuing his professional growth.
After joining IDA during covid, Arik earned a full-ride Division I scholarship at University of California. He was then drafted in the 2025 MLS draft.
Still have questions? Want to learn more? Fill out the form below to connect with an IDA representative. We look forward to hearing from you!
