Robin van Persie hails Germany's youth setup

Manchester United and Holland striker Robin van Persie has praised the German Football Federation for the investment that they have made in the development of youth football.

Since 2006 the German national team has twice finished third in the World Cup, as well as taking the runners-up spot and reaching the semi-finals of the European Championships.

Having progressed through the well-renowned Dutch setup, Van Persie believes that their German counterparts have started to catch them up.

"It begins, of course, in the development of the youth," the 29-year-old told the Dutch Federation's official website. "In Netherlands we are good at appointing good coaches and training. But a country like Germany has caught up.

"They have the financial gains of the 2006 World Cup. I believe almost a billion Euros has been invested in youth. In coaches, accommodation - everything. I can see [a great] young generation of top players [in Germany]."

Van Persie featured as Germany defeated Holland during the group stages of Euro 2012.