Yanbian Fude FC, the newly promoted Chinese Super League (CSL) club, announced yesterday that it has reached a sponsorship deal with Zhongchou Shares, a Zhejiang-based investment company.

At a news conference held in Shanghai, the club designated Zhongchou as its exclusive back of shirt sponsor and launched its matchday kit for the 2016 season. According to the deal, Yanbian players will wear “Zhejiang Zhongchou Investment” during upcoming CSL matches.

As reported by several Chinese sources, this is the first step for the partnership. In the near future, they will seek further co-operation in terms of green agricultural products, sports tourism and real estate.

Last June, Yanbian struck a title sponsorship deal with Fude Holdings Group, a life-insurance company in Shenzhen. Fude announced an allocation of RMB 80 million to further Yanbian’s future plans, including the development and reform of the club’s professional football operation.

Proofread by John Devlin.