J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos has signed a new shirt deal with the Japanese arm of Hong Kong gaming and casino brand Melco Resorts & Entertainment.
Melco has also signed as an Official Partner of City Football Group sister club Manchester City, in a deal that covers Japan only.
Under the Marinos deal, Melco will have branding on the clavicle of the Marinos kit.
Both deals will see Melco cooperate in hosting club events with Manchester City and the Marinos in Japan and throughout Asia respectively.
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Melco is a developer, owner and operator of casino, gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia.
It is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and its American depositary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Melco currently operates Altira Macau, a casino hotel in Taipa, Macau, and City of Dreams, an integrated urban casino resort in Cotai, Macau. It also has a City of Dreams casino resort in the Philippines, and similar properties in the UK and Australia.
Its partnerships with the Marinos and Manchester City are seen as part of the brand’s push to obtain an integrated casino (IR) license in Japan.
The deals were announced after the two sides faced each other in Yokohama last weekend as part of Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Asia.