Barcelona signs first Chinese partner

Electronic and technological goods retail chain Suning Company has become the first Chinese partner of Spanish Liga football club Barcelona.

The deal will run for three years, from 2014-15 to 2016-17.

The strategic partnership will feature a series of social and sporting projects, such as the promotion of sport among young people in China.

In addition to marketing, image association rights and digital assets, Suning is also planning to set up football camps to support the development of football in cities across China.

Suning will also launch a Barcelona microsite on its own official website, which fans can use to purchase official Barcelona merchandise.

Barcelona director general Antoni Rossich said: “I am convinced that the partnership between Suning and FC Barcelona is a big step forward for the club and brings us closer to our Chinese fans, creating successful synergies between the two organisations.”