River Plate lines up Turkish Airlines as shirt sponsor

Argentinian Superliga football club River Plate has reportedly ended its search for a shirt sponsor by agreeing a deal with Turkish Airlines.

Although the Buenos Aires giant has yet to officially comment on the matter, Argentinian newspaper Clarín, citing a club source, said Turkey’s flag carrier airline has made a verbal agreement for a three-year contract that will be worth a fixed sum of between $10m (€9.1m) and $15m.

Clarín added that a signed deal will offer River brand presence across Turkish Airlines’ global flight network.

River has been seeking a main shirt sponsor since May 2018 and Turkish Airlines had originally been linked with a partnership. In June, it was reported that Chinese liquor company Kweichow Moutai was considering a sponsorship deal with the club.

Earlier this week, River’s arch rival, Boca Juniors, approved a 10-year contract that will see German sportswear company adidas replace US rival Nike as its kit partner.