Manchester United have announced a new three-year partnership with leading Japanese engineering firm Yanmar.
The agreement will allow United to utilise Yanmar's expertise in their key markets worldwide and enhance their profile in Japan.
Yanmar are one of the world's largest engine manufacturing companies and also have a strong record in supporting young sporting talent in Asia.
In 1957 the company founded the football club now known as Cerezo Osaka, which is where current United player Shinji Kagawa began his professional career.
United commercial director Richard Arnold said: "Like Manchester United, Yanmar is steeped in history, this year celebrating a centenary of creating ground-breaking state-of-the-art technology in its field.
"With 659million followers United has a huge global audience and through our alliance we hope to introduce Yanmar and its expertise to some of our key markets.
"In return Yanmar will help us in our desire to engage with our nearly 4million Japanese followers."
Kagawa, who joined United from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, was present at tonight's announcement of the partnership at Old Trafford with team-mates Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.
Source: team_talk
