Spanish LaLiga football club Barcelona has entered into a partnership with Shimao Group, a Chinese entity focused on real estate development.
The two-year deal names Shimao Group as a regional sponsor of Barcelona until 2019.
Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate on cultural and sporting initiatives, as well as social responsibility projects.
“Through this sponsorship agreement I am sure that we can join forces to make Barça, Shimao and football even more popular among the Chinese people,” Manel Arroyo, Barcelona’s vice-president of marketing, said. “For us, China is a strategic market and I am sure that our partnership with the Shimao Group will make FC Barcelona the most popular football club in that country.”
Shimao Group becomes the latest Chinese entity to partner with Barcelona, with the club having recently signed agreements with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Credit Card Centre, Mission Hills Group and BNN Technology.