Valencia CF Academy & Training Ground 2026
Valencia CF train at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna in Paterna, just outside Valencia, opened in 1990s, with continuous expansion. The academy, Valencia CF Mestalla, has produced senior internationals across multiple generations, including David Silva. This page covers the training-ground facilities, the history of the academy, the most notable graduates and the wider club philosophy.
Valencia CF training ground: Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna
Location
Paterna, just outside Valencia
Opened
1990s, with continuous expansion
Academy name
Valencia CF Mestalla
Facilities highlights:
- Multiple training pitches across the complex
- Senior team locker rooms and gym
- Academy player residence
- Medical and recovery facilities
Valencia CF academy: Valencia CF Mestalla
Founded: Long-running youth system, with a reserve team that plays in Spanish third-tier football.
The Valencia academy at Paterna has historically punched above its weight, particularly during the early 2000s era of La Liga titles. The Mestalla reserve team gives young players senior competitive football in the Spanish lower divisions before any attempt at promotion to the first team.
Notable Valencia CF academy graduates
David Silva
developed at Valencia, senior debut 2004
World Cup and triple Euro winning playmaker; later sold to Manchester City where he became a Premier League legend.
Juan Mata
2007-2011
World Cup and Euro winning attacker; sold to Chelsea in 2011 and went on to win the Champions League and Europa League.
Jose Luis Gaya
2014-present
Spain international left-back and current club captain; a rare modern Valencia academy graduate who stayed at the club long-term.
Ferran Torres
2017-2020
Sold to Manchester City in 2020 and later joined FC Barcelona; Spain international and Euro and Olympic medal winner.
David Albelda
1998-2013
World Cup and Euro winning defensive midfielder and long-serving captain of the Valencia team that won La Liga in 2002 and 2004.
The story of the Valencia CF academy
Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna has been the home of Valencia CF training and academy football for decades. Located just outside the city of Valencia, the complex has hosted the development of an unusually high number of Spanish internationals for a club its size. David Silva and Juan Mata, both World Cup winners with Spain, developed key parts of their careers at Paterna. Ferran Torres followed a similar pattern, leaving for Manchester City and later FC Barcelona. The current club captain, Jose Luis Gaya, is a Paterna academy graduate who has chosen, unusually, to stay at the club through the post-Champions-League decline. The academy continues to operate as one of the most respected in Spain, supported by the strong regional football culture of the Valencian Community.
Valencia CF academy graduates at a glance
| # | Player | Era |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Silva | developed at Valencia, senior debut 2004 |
| 2 | Juan Mata | 2007-2011 |
| 3 | Jose Luis Gaya | 2014-present |
| 4 | Ferran Torres | 2017-2020 |
| 5 | David Albelda | 1998-2013 |
Frequently asked questions about the Valencia CF academy
Where do Valencia CF train?▼
Valencia CF train at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, located in Paterna, just outside Valencia. The complex opened in 1990s, with continuous expansion and is also home to the youth academy.
What is the Valencia CF academy called?▼
The Valencia CF academy is known as Valencia CF Mestalla. Long-running youth system, with a reserve team that plays in Spanish third-tier football.
Who is the most famous graduate of the Valencia CF academy?▼
One of the most famous graduates of the Valencia CF academy is David Silva (developed at Valencia, senior debut 2004). World Cup and triple Euro winning playmaker; later sold to Manchester City where he became a Premier League legend.
How many notable players has the Valencia CF academy produced?▼
This page lists 5 of the most notable graduates of the Valencia CF academy. The full list of senior contributors and graduates sold to other clubs is significantly longer.
What is the Valencia CF academy philosophy?▼
The Valencia academy at Paterna has historically punched above its weight, particularly during the early 2000s era of La Liga titles. The Mestalla reserve team gives young players senior competitive football in the Spanish lower divisions before any attempt at promotion to the first team.
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