Manchester City has announced a new regional partnership with a digital marketplace founded by an Emirati businessman and global entrepreneur.
The Premier League club has agreed the deal with noon.com which was created for local businesses in the Middle East..
The new partnership will also see noon.com become the club’s official online marketplace partner in the Middle East.
Starting in 2017 with noon.com, the e-commerce platform and online shopping destination is now an ecosystem of seven products and services.
The partnership will provide Manchester City with new ways to engage with fans in the Middle East and further grow the club’s presence in the region.
The company was founded by Mohamed Alabbar who is also the founder of Emaar Properties, the developer of assets such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, as well as the chairman of Eagle Hills, the Abu Dhabi-based private investment and real estate development company.
Stephan Cieplik, senior vice president of Global Partnerships Sales, City Football Group, said: "We are delighted to launch this new partnership with noon.com today. The team has impressed us with their ambition, innovation, and passion for the local communities and businesses they serve in the Middle East.
"The club has a passionate and engaged fanbase in the region and we’re pleased that noon.com will be joining us as we continue on this journey.
"We look forward to working together throughout the partnership to provide experiences and activations to engage with new audiences in the region."
Ali Kafil-Hussain, chief of Staff, noon.com, added: "One of the founding goals of noon.com was born to deliver exceptional experiences to support regional entrepreneurs and delight customers, giving our people a local digital champion to be proud of and support.
"We believe in redefining the norms of the industry, and through our platform, we have created a thriving ecosystem that supports our homegrown talent and gives all enterprises, no matter their size, a level playing field and a chance to compete better in their own market."
"This partnership with Manchester City, is a proud moment for noon," Mr Kafil-Hussain saod.
"We will work together to further amplify experiences for our customers and sellers, creating meaningful moments and even bigger wins for our communities.
"This is a vote of confidence not just in our platform but in our sellers, customers, and team. I’m excited to see this partnership grow."
"A local challenger brand created in the region, noon.com aims to become the leading digital platform in the Middle East providing world-class standards of customer service and tools to enable local businesses to expand their offering online and support their growth and success in the region."
