English soccer club Sheffield United has signed a groundbreaking deal that will see the Hong Kong FA Cup renamed The Sheffield United FA Cup.

The deal comes as United look to increase their exposure in Asia. The club owns the Chengdu Blades Football Club in Hong Kong - 'The Blades' is a longstanding nickname of United. The Chengdu Blades compete in the Chinese Super League.

"It is a great honour for Sheffield United and Chengdu Blades to be invited to sponsor the Hong Kong FA Cup," said Sheffield United chief executive Kevin McCabe. "It demonstrates our commitment to supporting the growth of football in China and Hong Kong, whilst we continue to make the Blades a global football proposition."

Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League in 2007. The club has subsequently received millions of dollars in damages from West Ham United, who survived the relegation battle, over irregularities in the contract of West Ham's talismanic striker Carlos Tevez. Somewhat ironically, given the costs of relegation, Sheffield United appear to be in rude health, while West Ham are reportedly close to administration. Tevez has since moved on to English and European champions, Manchester United.   

The competition will be played throughout the last three weeks of May. The 2009 edition will be the 35th season of the competition.