The Football Association has confirmed that ESPN will broadcast live FA Cup matches from next season in a deal believed to be worth about £60m over four years, reports The Guardian. The US broadcasters deal will begin next season, when it loses half of its 46 Premier League matches, and covers four seasons. It also includes the rights to England Under-21 matches and the new professional women's league, due to launch next summer.

FA chief executive, Ian Watmore, said: "We are extremely pleased to have added ESPN to our list of broadcast partners. As a global broadcaster, who have already demonstrated a strong presence in the UK, ESPN will give our football great visibility and we look forward to an excellent partnership with them.

"Whilst it's a very different market to two years ago, we have nevertheless taken our time and as a result have received some strong, credible bids."

ESPN will show two matches in the first and second rounds (plus up to two replays per round), three matches from the third to fifth rounds (plus up to one replay), two FA Cup quarter-finals (plus up to one replay) and one semi-final for each of the next four seasons.