Manchester United, champions of the Premier League for the last three seasons and arguably the biggest club in world soccer, has secured another major sponsorship deal, with Africa's leading integrated telecoms operator, Globacom Limited.

Globacom will pay United US$4.9 million per year for the next five years in a partnership worth nearly US$25 million. The deal, which covers Nigeria, Ghana and Benin, will see a number of west African players given a chance to perform at the Manchester United Soccer Academy.

"At Globacom, we have consistently played a leading role in identifying opportunities and providing platforms for positive transformation of youths through football," said Globacom's group executive director Paddy Adenuga to African press.

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"This new partnership with the world's most famous football club will no doubt give impetus to the quest by kids in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic to become world stars."