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London - English football giants Manchester United unveiled on Thursday a record sponsorship deal with US finance group American International Group (AIG) worth 56.5 million pounds (80.6 million euros, 99.1 million dollars).
The four-year agreement, under which AIG will replace mobile phone giant Vodafone as United's shirt sponsors next season, beats the 50.0-million-pound five-year deal won by Premiership leaders Chelsea with electronics giant Samsung in April 2005.
United, bought by US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer last year, boasted that its new deal was the biggest of its kind in the history of English football.
"We are delighted to begin our relationship with AIG," United chief executive David Gill told a press conference at the club's Old Trafford ground.
"This is a deal that is right for Manchester United and it underlines our position as the worlds leading club.
"AIGs global operations complement our great fan base and we are excited about the global prospects this relationship brings," Gill added.
Martin J Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of American International Group, added:
"We believe this relationship will mutually benefit both organisations and we look forward to maximising the value of this high-profile sponsorship to help grow AIG's businesses around the world."
Thursday's announcement followed a furious row between United and gaming group Mansion, which ditched talks over a deal potentially worth up to 70.0 million pounds because United was speaking to another suitor.
Negotiations with Mansion collapsed last weekend after the group accused United of "unprofessional" conduct.
United lie second in the Premiership, seven points behind reigning champions Chelsea. Both clubs have six games remaining and are due to play each other at the Londoners' Stamford Bridge ground at the start of May.