Etisalat has signed a partnership agreement with FC Barcelona, the renowned European football club, known familiarly as Barça.

The four-year partnership agreement will entitle Etisalat and its international subsidiaries to become the 'Official International Telecom Partner of FC Barcelona' in their respective countries.

Besides advertising and branding rights, Etisalat will also organise two international matches with FCB in the location of their choice, against nominated teams, opening possibilities of bringing the FCB to the UAE.

'Etisalat has been a strong supporter and an endorser of the game of football for a long time, and is delighted to partner with FC Barcelona, the world champion football club,' stated Mohammad Omran, chairman, Etisalat.

'We hope that our association with FC Barcelona will create spectacle both on and off field and connect diverse global football fan base together through this amazing sport.'

'The aim of FCBarcelona is worldwide presence and this agreement will allow us to strengthen out image and presence in the Middle East, Africa and Asia,' said Joan Laporta Estruch, president of FCBarcelona.

Through this partnership, Etisalat will bring football action to its 80 million Etisalat customers in 18 countries, while providing an extended worldwide fan base to the FC Barcelona in relatively newer territories.

The partnership will also further strengthen Etisalat's association with football. The Telco had earlier sponsored the Etisalat Football League, the UAE-Brazil football match and other tournaments both locally and internationally.

Earlier this year, FC Barcelona set the record for amassing the highest points total for the first half of a season in La Liga and the International organization IFFHS ranked Barça first in their list of the greatest football clubs of the last 18 years.-TradeArabia News Service