Premier League: Chelsea, 9^th club to announce a shirt sleeve sponsor, Alliance Tyres for 2017-18

Yokohama Rubber, the main shirt sponsor of Chelsea FC (Premier League) for the 2015-2020 period, has expanded its partnership with the club on 22/07/2017. The Japanese tyre manufacturer has made its sub-brand Alliance Tyres the club's shirt sleeve sponsor for the 2017-18 season. This partnership will be in the first level of the sponsorship hierarchy of the London club.

Chelsea are the ninth club in the Premier League to announce a shirt sleeve sponsor, as the Premier League has authorised the marketing of shirt sleeve space from 2017-18. The Alliance Tyres logo appeared for the first time on the left shirt sleeve of the Blues at the pre-season friendly match between Premier League clubs Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC (3-0) in Beijing (CHN) on 22/07/2017.

"The new opportunity to brand the sleeve of the iconic Chelsea shirt is perfect for the right partner that wishes to capitalise on the huge reach of the Premier League and the many millions of Blues fans around the world," said Chris Townsend, commercial director of Chelsea FC, on 22/07/2017.