FC Barcelona, arguably the world's foremost soccer club, is set to invest up to "tens of millions of dollars" into a soccer training and experience center on the island province of Hainan, making it the first ever foreign club to have a major direct investment in the China's booming soccer market.

The project, a joint venture with Mission Hills Group, shows the Spanish La Liga side's long-term "commitment" to China, a club official said. It is also the first of its kind in Barcelona's 118-year history.

Calling the project a "partnership between the strong", Ken Chu, chairman and chief executive officer of MHG, confirmed each side would contribute half of the total investment.