US insurance giant AIG in £56.5 million shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United
Manchester United have announced a £56.5million shirt sponsorship deal with US insurance and financial services organisation, American International Group, Inc. (AIG).
The agreement - the biggest of its kind in English football - will run for four years from the beginning of next season.
The announcement was made by United chief executive David Gill at an Old Trafford press conference at 1pm on Thursday.
"We are delighted to begin our relationship with AIG," said Gill.
"This is a deal that is right for Manchester United and it underlines our position as the world’s leading club.
"AIG’s global operations complement our great fan base and we are excited about the global prospects this relationship brings.
"This is a blue chip deal for a blue chip club."
Sir Alex Ferguson was equally delighted, adding: "It’s a fantastic partnership. It can be very good for us. The club wants to pick the right partner and I think we’ve done that."
Martin J. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of American International Group, Inc. revealed AIG's delight at the deal.
He said: "We are very pleased to associate AIG, a global leader in insurance and financial services, with Manchester United, one of the most successful football clubs in the game and one of the world’s leading sports brands.
"We believe this relationship will mutually benefit both organisations and we look forward to maximising the value of this high-profile sponsorship to help grow AIG’s businesses around the world."