MUMBAI: Soccer club Manchester United has today agreed to a three-year sponsorship with one of China‘s most prominent banking groups, China Construction Bank (CCB).

As part of the agreement, China Construction Bank will hold the rights exclusively to produce the official Manchester United branded credit card in mainland China.

This new partnership is the Club‘s first sponsorship with a Chinese bank.

The CCB Manchester United Credit Card is set to be popular with the Club‘s fans in China, offering them a range of exciting benefits including various Club-related benefits and incentives. CCB will be marketing the Manchester United Credit Card to its almost 102 million personal banking customers in Mainland China.

Much like Manchester United CCB has accumulated many accolades, receiving over 30 awards from renowned local and international institutions in the first half of 2012.

Commenting on the partnership, Manchester United‘s Commercial Director, Richard Arnold said, "We are very pleased to be partnering with China Construction Bank to bring the official Manchester United Credit Card to China. Manchester United has a huge following in China of 108 million. We know from our visits there, including to Shanghai last summer, that our Chinese followers have always been among the most supportive. Through our relationship with CCB we hope not only to give fans an excellent product, but also bring them closer to the Club they so passionately support.

"As China‘s fiscal and industrial strength continues to grow, it is establishing itself as a leader in the global economy and the place for businesses to invest. In 80 major cities in China CCB have almost 60% of all branches, making them the ideal partner to connect with our fans.

"Together with our TV and mobile partners, financial services products give us tangible ways of providing real benefits to our fans that enable them to establish a closer relationship with their favourite team."

As one of the ‘big four‘ banks in China, CCB employs over 320,000 employees and has almost 14,000 domestic branches, as well as overseas branches in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney.