Fresh blow for FC Twente as main sponsor ends deal

FC Twente has reached an agreement to terminate its partnership with business travel mobility card company and main sponsor XXImo, further increasing the financial problems surrounding the Dutch Eredivisie football club.

XXImo has held the front-of-shirt branding of FC Twente for the past two seasons. Financial details of the settlement were not disclosed.

FC Twente president Aldo van der Laan said: "FC Twente is pleased that this situation is resolved. XXImo supported us the last two years as main sponsor, and we are pleased with this mutually successful completion."

XXImo chief executive Patrick Bunnik added: "We are very pleased that we were able to settle with one another and to mutual satisfaction. In the last two years, our sponsorship was always warmly supported and we always fulfilled our commitments. It has also brought a lot of our business. We sincerely hope that FC Twente is capable of reversing the difficult situation of the club.”

Last week, FC Twente was docked three points in the Eredivisie for the second time in as many months after it failed to meet targets set for financial recovery by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

Club director Gerald van den Belt accepted the punishment and expressed fears over the club’s future. “We are paying the price for over-ambitious plans last year,” he told Dutch radio, as quoted by Sky Sports. “If we don't correct it, our license will be in danger. We have readjusted our financial planning and submitted it and are now awaiting approval by the KNVB.”

FC Twente is 11th in the Eredivisie standings following a 3-1 weekend win at Go Ahead Eagles. There are four games of the Dutch top flight season remaining.