Italian Serie A football club AS Roma has today (Monday) signed a record shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways.
Terms of the multi-year deal were not disclosed, but Roma said it represents the largest ever signed by the club and one of the biggest agreed by an Italian team.
The airline’s logo will be emblazoned across the front of Roma’s shirt through until the end of the 2020-21 season, with Roma having competed for a lengthy period without a main shirt sponsor.
Qatar Airways becomes Roma’s main global partner and will be only the seventh shirt sponsor in the club’s 90-year history.
Roma president Jim Pallotta said: “Today’s announcement is the result of discussions behind the scenes for over eight months with Qatar Airways, led by our commercial team in London with much assistance from the entire Roma team, and comes at a significant time in the club’s history, on and off the pitch.
“With a new stadium due to begin construction late this year and the team in the (Uefa) Champions League semi-final for the first time for 34 years, it’s an exciting time to be a Roma fan. We shall be proud to wear the Qatar Airways name on our shirts and we look forward to working together to achieve sporting and commercial success for many years to come.”
The agreement also further strengthens Qatar Airways’ commitment to Italy. The airline currently flies twice a day to Rome and Milan, as well as daily to Venice and Pisa. Qatar Airways last year announced the acquisition of 49 per cent of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy.