Government-owned bank Caixa Economica Federal has agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A football club Santos.
Caixa’s branding will feature on the front of Santos’ shirts as part of the deal. The agreement will run until the end of the year, although Santos has confirmed that negotiations for a contract extension are already underway.
According to the Maquina do Esporte website, Santos will not receive any sponsorship revenue from Caixa during the initial deal and will instead be reimbursed next year. The deal marks the end of a significant period of time in which Santos has played without a main shirt sponsor.
Caixa was confirmed as Santos' shirt sponsor at the unveiling of the club's new third kit, which has been launched to mark the 100th anniversary of Vila Belmiro, the club’s home ground. Santos wore the new kit for the first time during yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) 2-1 home victory over Fluminense.
Caixa last month agreed similar partnerships with Serie A teams Botafogo and Fluminense. The bank also holds shirt sponsorship deals with fellow Brazilian clubs Atlético Goianiense, Atlético Mineiro, Atlético Paranaense, Bahia, Corinthians, Coritiba, Chapecoense, CRB, Cruzeiro, Goiás, Figueirense, Flamengo, Sport, Vasco and Vitória.