LaLiga: Japanese firm Rakuten (e-commerce) becomes main shirt sponsor of FC Barcelona for 2017-2021

Rakuten, the Japanese conglomerate specialising in internet services (e-commerce, finance, digital content), has become the principal international partner of FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander), on 16/11/2016. With this partnership, Rakuten will become the main shirt sponsor of Barça from 01/07/2017, for four seasons (2017-2021), with an additional optional season (2021-22).

The Rakuten logo will not appear on the training kits of men's first team or on the apparel of the women's team nor the youth teams of the Catalan club. The Japanese company also receives the status of "global innovation and entertainment partner".

The amount of the contract is €55m per season, excluding sporting performance bonus (clause include €1.5m for winning LaLiga Santander and €5m for winning the Champions League). The partnership must still be ratified at an extraordinary general meeting of the club's socios (FC Barcelona association members), to be held "in the coming weeks," according to FC Barcelona.

Rakuten to pay Barça 64.2% more than Qatar Airways