New York Red Bulls have signed a significant sponsorship deal with Bayer, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The German pharmaceuticals giant, whose North American headquarters are sited in the Red Bulls' home state of New Jersey, will become an official partner of the club across a range of categories.

The sponsorship will largely be activated through support for community service and employee engagement initiatives, as well as a presenting partnership for the Red Bulls' 11th September game against Chicago Fire which will commemorate the efforts of military veterans and World Trade Centre first responders.

No financial terms were announced but the deal is described as the second-largest in the Red Bulls' history. It is likely to be worth at least a seven-figure sum.

It is the first commercial partnership in MLS for Bayer, which owns Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen.

"At Bayer, we are dedicated to the communities where our employees live and work," said Raymond F Kerins Jr, a senior vice president with Bayer.

"The opportunity to partner with a major sports franchise like the New York Red Bulls, that shares this dedication, is a perfect match. This partnership is about working together to improve the lives of individuals across New York and New Jersey. Bayer is proud to be the life science partner of New York Red Bulls soccer."