Japanese convenience store chain Lawson has signed up as a sponsor of Italian Serie A football club AC Milan.
The length of the deal was not disclosed.
The agreement was brokered by the Infront Sports & Media agency, working in partnership with Japanese advertising agency Dentsu.
AC Milan has visited Japan on six occasions since the 1980s and has a large following in the country.
The club has also attracted increasing commercial interest from Japan since signing national team striker Keisuke Honda nearly a year ago. Since Honda (pictured) moved to Milan in January, the club has signed up IT equipment and services company Fujitsu and tyre manufacturer Toyo Tires and Rubber.
“We are honoured to have the opportunity to support the world’s most beloved sport and specifically a club that has always led the world of football,” Ken Sakamoto, president and representative director of Lawson HMV Entertainment, said. “As someone involved in the entertainment business and also being a football fan myself, I am extremely excited about this partnership.”
Barbara Berlusconi, the club’s vice-president and chief executive, added: “This partnership reflects the global reach of AC Milan and we are truly honoured to be partnering with a 'community-based' organisation like Lawson.”