Barcelona announces Rakuten as next official shirt sponsor

Rakuten will replace Qatar Airways as Barcelona's new shirt sponsor next season after the Spanish side announced a four-year partnership with the Japanese electronic commerce and internet company.

(Courtesy: Barcelona)

As well as becoming the shirt sponsor, Rakuten will also be the main global sponsor of Barcelona after striking a deal worth €55 million, plus incentives worth €1.5 million to win La Liga, and €5 million if the club captures another Champions League crown.

The agreement between the two sides will come into effect on July 1, 2017.

In a statement, team president team president Josep Maria Bartomeu said:

This agreement puts us at the forefront of sports club sponsorships, which has always been an objective for the current Board of Directors. We hope this partnership between Rakuten and FC Barcelona brings unparalleled sporting and commercial success, and helps the club achieve its goal of being a reference point worldwide.

Qatar Airways has been a staple on Barcelona shirts since 2013. The latest agreement, which was signed last summer, expires June 31, 2017.