ENGLISH Premier League side Arsenal and China’s electric car maker BYD have signed a global sponsorship deal, it was announced yesterday.

BYD has become Arsenal’s second Chinese global partner following smartphones and telecommunications equipment giant Huawei, whose two-year deal with Arsenal expired this month.

The agreement between Arsenal and BYD covers hospitality opportunities and branding at the Emirates Stadium in north London.

Sherry Li, BYD’s General Manager for Global Branding and PR, said: “It’s a great honor for BYD to start this relationship, which is appropriate given our joint commitment to the environment. We look forward to working together in the coming months to raise the profile of our combined sustainable vision and, in BYD’s case, our zero emissions products.”

Vinai Venkatesham, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club, described the partnership as “exciting.”

“We are proud to become the first Premier League club to enter into a global electric vehicle partnership, and to do so with one of China’s largest and best-known companies. We look forward to working with BYD in the coming seasons,” said Venkatesham.

(Xinhua)