On April 13, Barcelona Football Club and the Shimao Group announced a strategic cooperation agreement, in which the Shimao Group are to become the regional sponsor of the Club up to 2019.

Barcelona Football Club and Shimao Group will cooperate in a number of areas, such as cultural and sports development, social responsibility and a better lifestyle for the Chinese people.

Barcelona Football Club said: "We would like to welcome the Shimao Group in joining us. Barcelona, Shimao and football will become more popular among the Chinese people through this sponsorship agreement. China is an important market for us and we are confident that Barcelona Football Club will become the most popular football club in China.”

The Shimao Group commented: "Through the cooperation with Barcelona Football Club, the Shimao Group will not only focus more on the lifestyle that comes with the spirit of sport, but also make a significant contribution to the development of sport in China.”

The Shimao Group is a Chinese real estate development conglomerate serving more than 1 million customers and 300,000 households.

Source: Tencent

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin