Soccer-Chelsea sign five-year shirt deal with Japanese tyre firm

By Tony Jimenez LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Chelsea have signed their "largest ever commercial deal" with the Yokohama Rubber Company that will see the name of the Japanese tyre manufacturer on their shirts for five years starting next season. Financial details were undisclosed but the agreement ends the Stamford Bridge club's 10-year partnership with Samsung Electronics. "We believe Yokohama will play a key role in helping us drive our global expansion in international markets such as the U.S. where they have operated with distinction for many years," club chairman Bruce Buck said in a news release. "Also, of course, Chelsea having such an esteemed and historic Japanese company as our partner enables us to accelerate our development in their home market too." Yokohama Rubber chief executive Tadanobu Nagumo flew in from Japan to appear in a photo-shoot with Buck, captain John Terry and manager Jose Mourinho on Thursday.



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