SAINTS are to launch their own soccer schools in America next year.

It is the first sign of trying to break the potentially lucrative North American market that chairman Ralph Krueger is so keen to do.

The first soccer school will be rolled out in Baltimore, Maryland, early next year.

Krueger has previously spoken about trying to improve Saints’ status and commercial power on the global stage.

He was encouraged by a report published last June which ranked Saints as the fastest growing brand in world football.

"On the business side, it’s an exciting growth," he told the Daily Echo back in the summer.

"I would like to continue to do what I can with the commercial and business arm of the club, to grow the brand.”

Premier League clubs have been trying to boost their North American profile in recent years, with most of the elite clubs staging pre season tours of America.

That is something Saints have yet to embark on, preferring instead to play friendlies in Europe.