By BLOOMBERG

KIGALI • English Premier League soccer team Arsenal has signed a shirt-sponsorship deal with Rwanda.

The club, one of the world’s biggest, will promote tourism, investment and football in the East African nation under a three-year agreement, the Rwanda Development Board said yesterday.

The “Visit Rwanda” logo will feature on the left sleeve for all first team, under-23 and Arsenal Women’s matches, according to a statement from the state-run agency. Arsenal players will visit Rwanda and club coaches will host camps to support the development of the game in the country of 12 million people.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Arsenal and showcasing the vibrancy and beauty of our country,” Rwanda Development Board CEO Clare Akamanzi said.

“Visit Rwanda and discover why we are the second-fastest growing economy in Africa.”

London-based Arsenal is the sixth-largest soccer club in the world, having generated revenue of €488 million (RM2.44 billion) in the 2016- 2017 season, according to Deloitte LLP. It is listed on the NEX Exchange in London and has a market value of US$2.9 billion (RM11.6 billion).

American billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams, is the majority shareholder.

Long-serving manager Arsene Wenger left the club this month and was replaced yesterday by Spaniard Unai Emery, former coach of Paris Saint-Germain.