ESS Residency has 9 years of experience bringing players from around the world to our Residency Programs in Spain. Our goal is to provide players with the opportunity to develop in a professional environment training with our UEFA Licensced ESS Staff, with our partner club in Barcelona, CE Hospitalet, and playing in one of the best tournaments in Europe, Cruyff Football Tournament.
The ESS Residency experience is invaluable in shaping our players into better players and just as important, better young men.
Train and play with ESS´s UEFA Licensced Staff
Train with top Barcelona club CE Hospitalet
Play a minimum of 6 international matches
Play in Cruyff Football Tournament
The ESS Residency Program is led by UEFA Pro licensed coach Didi Rodriguez, a former player of FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, and a former coach at La Liga club Girona FC.
The combination of his playing resume and more than 15 years of coaching provides ESS Residency players one of the top coaches in Spain to guide them through their experience.
Along with his on-field coaching, Didi holds weekly team video analysis sessions and provides a complete player analysis, including video, after the completion of the program.
CE Hospitalet is recognized as one of the premier academies in Barcelona, with over 400 players and teams competing in the top Catalan leagues. Owned by former FC Barcelona and Inter Miami player Jordi Alba, each player is placed with a team from the club to experience a live, raw training session with one of the top academies in Barcelona.
The CE Hospitalet first team competes in the 5th division of Spanish professional football (Tercera RFEF) at Estadi Municipal de Futbol de L´Hospitalet, where ESS Residency players train with their academy teams.
Before the Cruyff Football Tournament, ESS Residency players have an intensive 4-day training camp to prepare for one of the top tournaments in Europe that includes the following:
4 Pre-Cruyff training sessions
2 Pre-Cruyff friendly matches
1 training with CE Hospitalet
1 Pre-Cruyff video analysis
Face elite La Liga and professional European academies
Play a minimum of 4 matches
Groups of 4 with 3 group stage matches
Top 2 teams move onto Championship Round
Bottom 2 teams move onto Consolation Round
In 2025, several professional academies attended Cruyff Football Tournament.
Cruyff Football Tournament is one of the most up and coming youth tournaments in Europe, with some of the world’s biggest clubs participating. In 2025 ESS Residency won the Europa League division, playing Ajax Amsterdam along the way.
After the intensive Pre-Cruyff preparation working with ESS Residency Director Didi Rodriguez and his staff, ESS Residency players get to test themselves against the very best in the world at Cruyff Football Tournament.
Sunday, Nov. 29 - Depart the USA
Monday, Nov. 30 - Arrival and Check-In / Welcome Dinner
Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Training / FC Barcelona Camp Nou Tour / Friendly Match
Wednesday, Dec. 2 - Training / Training with CE L´Hospitalet / La Liga Match
Thursday, Dec. 3 - Training / Friendly Match
Friday, December 4 - Training / Transfer to Salou
Saturday, December 5 - Cruyff Tournament Group Stage Matches
Sunday, December 6 - Cruyff Tournament Quarterfinal Matches / La Liga Match
Monday, December 7 - Cruyff Tournament Semifinal and Final Matches / Return to Barcelona / Farewell Dinner
Tuesday, December 8 - Depart for the USA
The Cruyff Football Tournament is hosted at Futbol Salou, a fantastic facility with 13 fields, 4 of which are natural grass. Regarded as one of Spain's best complexes, it features a bar and restaurant overlooking the 8 main fields.
Insurance for all players is included and provided by InterMudial, a well renowned insurance provider in Spain. ESS Players are covered for medical and travel assistance including everything from problems with flights and luggage, to hospitalization for injuries or sickness, and medications. This provides security and stability in terms of the health and care of the players. ESS Staff manages any usage of the policy and claim process.
ESS staff, players and families use the 360 Player application to manage and execute the daily and weekly agendas.
Updated daily with information on trainings, matches, classes, meals, trips, tournaments, etc., 360 Player keeps the players on top of their schedules and allows parents to keep up to date on a daily basis in Spain.
Deposit
June 15, 2026
€500 Player / €500 Supporter
Second Payment
August 15, 2026
€735 Player / €660 Supporter
Final Payment
October 15, 2026
€735 Player / €660 Supporter
ADDITIONAL PAYMENT INFORMATION
All payments are made through the ESS WeTravel online payment system
All Payments become non-refundable on August 15, 2026
Late fees apply to all late payments
5 Nights Lodging in Barcelona
4 Nights Lodging at Cruyff Football Tournament
All Meals
All Transportation in Spain (BCN Airport to hotel not included)
Cruyff Tournament Entry Fee
2 Pre-Tournament Training Sessions
2 Pre-Tournament Friendly Matches
Individual Player Training Session with CE L´Hospitalet
ESS Match and Training Gear
FC Barcelona Camp Nou Stadium Tour
Full-Time ESS Guide
❌ Price Doesn´t Include
La Liga Match Ticket
Flights (optional group flight available)
Insurance (optional travel insurance available)
Souvenirs
