Manchester City have named casino resort operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment as their official partner in Japan, in a deal that also covers their sister club in the country, Yokohama F Marinos, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The agreement will lead to the creation and implementation of community programmes and events to help City grow their reach in the Japanese market.

The tie-up also sees Melco become the community presenting partner of the Marinos, who will have the company's logo feature on their kit.

Damian Willoughby, senior vice president of partnerships at City Football Group, said: "Melco and Manchester City share a common approach to have entertainment at the heart of everything we do, providing great experiences for our fans and visitors. We are also both committed to using football as a force for good and are excited for the launch of Melco's new community football programme in Japan."

Lawrence Ho, chairman and chief executive of Melco, added: "Building successful teams and successful partnerships have a lot in common. At Melco, we look for shared ambition and 21st century values. And in Manchester City and Marinos we have found perfect partners – businesses that excel at entertaining, whilst putting community first.

"Melco's connections to Japan run deep, so being able to support grassroots community programmes across the country is an exciting opportunity for us all."