Milan to don Emirates logo: reports

ABU DHABI // Top Italian football club AC Milan will reportedly be sporting the Emirates Airline logo on their shirts from next season. International media quoted a source close to the Italian football club saying the government-owned airline and the club had agreed a four-year deal worth 50 million euros (Dh250m). Dubai's flagship airline already has a sponsorship deal with the seven-time European Cup winners that gives it branding rights at the Club's San Siro stadium.

Milan hold an annual Emirates-sponsored winter training camp in Dubai and last year the club won the Dubai Football Challenge at The Sevens stadium in the emirate, defeating German club Hamburger SV. An Emirates spokesperson said: "We have been reviewing our sponsorship contract with AC Milan. We expect to announce the result of negotiations in the very near future." The deal would be announced in Milan in the presence of Emirate's chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the reports said.

The airline would replace current sponsors, Austrian-based online betting group, Bwin. The sponsorship deal would add to an already impressive portfolio for the airline. The Fly Emirates logo appears on the shirts of London Premier League side Arsenal and the club's ground is named Emirates Stadium. The company also has deals with French footbal club Paris Saint-Germain FC, German club Hamburger SV and Greek side Olympiacos CFP.

Beyond football, the airline has sponsorships in rugby, golf, cricket, horse racing, Australian rules football, tennis, sailing and car racing. Emirates also has sponsorship agreements in golf, cricket and powerboat racing. * The National with additional reporting by Reuters