David Beckham signs £180 million sponsorship deal with Qatar for his new football club Inter Miami
- Inter Miami has signed a £180 million sponsorship deal with Qatar Foundation
- Qatari logo is set to appear on the club’s kit, merchandise and in their stadium
- The club will play its inaugural game against FC Dallas on March 22
David Beckham has signed a £180 million sponsorship deal with Qatar for his new football club Inter Miami.
The deal has been on the cards for weeks after ‘secret talks’ were reportedly held between the football star, his agent David Gardner, and the oil-rich Arab state.
A source told The Sun: ‘This deal wipes the floor with previous sponsorship deals. Becks and his agent David Gardner have been incredibly hands-on, determined to get the best terms possible.
Big news: David Beckham has signed a £180 million sponsorship deal with Qatar for his new football club Inter Miami
‘Qatar is keen to drive investments overseas to improve and soften its image. Miami and the Beckham brand fits perfectly with this.’
In return for the lump sum Qatar will see their logo brandished on all of the football club’s kit and merchandise as well as taking centre stage at their Miami, Florida, stadium.
The club will play its inaugural game against FC Dallas on March 22.
Dream team: Beckham posed for a selfie with the club’s Managing Owner Jorge Mas and Sporting Director Paul McDonough earlier this month
Fans left in the dark over the deal, which was signed two weeks ago, began to question whether the club would become the first to enter Major League Soccer without a sponsor.
The Qatar Foundation, said to be a charitable trust, previously sponsored Barcelona FC for two seasons – with a shirt sponsorship contract worth £125m.
Qatar foundation was set up by the Gulf emirate’s royal family and was seen as an attempt to boost their footballing credentials.
Beaming with happiness: David looked proud as he posed with a fan while in Miami for the Superbowl earlier this month
Drawing a mixed response from fans, the sponsorship left some questioning how a deal could be made with a country where homosexuality is illegal and human rights abuse and corruption is alleged to take place.
Sources told The Sun that the oil-rich state has told Beckham it will relax its policies in the future.
Beckham has reportedly made his support for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup known.