Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung secures lucrative new contract

19 April 2010 | Posted in Personal Endorsement, Soccer | By Eoin Connolly

Manchester United's South Korean soccer star Park Ji-Sung has extended his endorsement deal with Asiana Airlines for another year.

The Manchester United midfielder will continue to promote Asiana Airlines as an honorary ambassador, and will receive free first-class tickets to all of the airline's destinations for himself and family members, as well as free business class tickets for staff at his agency. In total, it is thought the deal will be worth as much as US$200,000 to the midfielder over the next year.

Park said: "I deeply thank Asiana Airlines for its continuous support since 2007. Especially not only for me but for Asiana's continuous support towards my parents for them to travel to England. With this burden lifted, I was able to concentrate more freely in my work."

Park has played more than 100 league matches for Manchester United since moving to Old Trafford in 2005, and will captain South Korea at the World Cup in South Africa this year.

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Asiana Airlines president and chief executive Young-Doo Yoon added: "I wish the best for Ji-Sung, Park and our national team's remarkable results in South Africa. Asiana as well will try harder in becoming the best airliner. Let us do our best in our areas."

Asiana Airlines have secured endorsement deals with a number of top figures in South Korean sport, including golfers Kyung-Joo Choi and Yong-Eun Yang, and the New York Yankees baseball player Chan-Ho Park.

Park Ji-Sung was ranked the 42nd most marketable athlete in the world by the May 2010 edition of SportsPro magazine. For more information on SportsPro magazine, click here.