ITC Travel Group has teamed up with Football Escapes to strengthen its family holiday and sports travel offerings. 

The travel company provides football coaching for five to 15-year-olds by former professionals, including Rio Ferdinand, in luxury resorts around the world. 

Announcing the partnership on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Football Escapes said they were "delighted" to be teaming up with ITC Travel Group. 

Dad-of-three Rio, who will be spearheading the partnership, also promoted the collaboration on his social media channels. 

“We're delighted to announce our partnership with @ITCTravel who will now be able to provide you with bespoke packages for your next @footballescapes holiday! And all ATOL protected. Check out our 2019 dates and destinations here http://footballescapes.com/destinations and join us in the [sun] #ad,” the ex-footballer tweeted.

Other household names on the UEFA-licenced coaching team for courses include Eidur Gudjohnsen, Dimitar Berbatov and Teddy Sheringham.

The partnership will enable ITC Travel Group to arrange luxury family holidays built around the coaching courses, with high-end hotels and resorts playing host to two-hour daily sessions over a week period. 

Current destinations include Dubai, the Maldives, Portugal, Cyprus and Beijing.

“We are delighted to announce this latest string to our bow in providing a truly extraordinary portfolio to our clients and travel agent partners,” said ITC Travel Group CEO Mal Barritt. 

“As a parent of three boys myself I know all too well the challenges of keeping the whole family happy when abroad and I genuinely believe that the combination of ITC’s bespoke, tailor-made service and Football Escapes’ unique access to a whole host of footballing household names will be a World Cup winning formula!”

Go to inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk or footballescapes.com.