Leisure Ventures, the cash shell which floated earlier this year, has targeted a specialist soccer training holiday business as its first acquisition.

The company has entered agreed preliminary terms for the £7m acquisition of The International Academy, a FIFA-registered football training camp company. Founded by Alun Williams, the International Academy works with leading football clubs such as Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich to provide soccer coaching holidays to young people around the world. Williams will be appointed to the board of Leisure Ventures following the completion of the reverse takeover.

The International Academy, which also operates two skiing businesses, reported a loss in pre-tax profits of £900,000 this year, attributed to development costs in the US, its initial target market. Details: +44 (0)20 7448 1000