Manchester City have taken a stake in J-League club Yokohama F-Marinos.
The Daily Mail says City are taking a stake of less than 20 per cent in the Japanese club, which has long established ties with the Nissan car company who remain its main backer.
The Barclays Premier League club will provide support in areas like training methods, coaching and medical care to YF Marinos who have not won the J-League since 2004. In return City will get additional revenues and a chance to boost their brand in Japan.
The deal was described as the first significant foreign investment in a Japanese J-League team.
"The YF Marinos is an excellent soccer club with a rich history which has grown hand in hand with Nissan," said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan President and CEO.
"This partnership will contribute to the growth of the club, the club's hometown and Japanese soccer."
