United seal Kagome deal

Manchester United have secured a three-year partnership deal with Japanese-based soft drinks manufacturer Kagome.

The drinks company make a number of fruit-based products aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and will become United’s official soft drinks partner in Japan until 2016.

The Old Trafford outfit also sealed a partnership with Azerbaijan broadcaster Bakcell recently, to seal broadcast rights and mobile telecommunications deals in the country.

Richard Arnold, Manchester United’s commercial director, told the club’s website: “Kagome’s products symbolise health and wellbeing and what better way to endorse this than to partner with the number one club in the world’s biggest sport.

“This is the club’s first partnership of its kind and we are delighted to be able to work with such a well-established company that, like United, has over 100 years’ experience in its field.

“Manchester United has almost four million followers in Japan and every time we visit, the welcome we receive is overwhelming.

“I hope that all of these fans will support this new way of connecting with the club and enjoy some of the great products and activities Manchester United and Kagome will bring them.”

Ryo Koshino, executive officer and general manager for Kagome’s corporate communications, said: “Kagome encourages and promotes a healthy lifestyle through exercise and vegetable intake.

“We feel our partnership with Manchester United, which is one of the world’s most popular football clubs, possessing a long history of tradition, will allow us to promote Kagome and our products to a wider audience.

“We will appreciate your continuous support of both Manchester United as well as Kagome products.”