NEWS of Manchester City's growing success will travel faster and to more places than ever before after the club today announced a new title sponsor.

Kevin Keegan's high-fliers have teamed up with Thomas Cook UK, the world's best known travel brand, in a three-year deal worth around £3m.

The deal, which has been eight weeks in the making, means that from the start of this season, Thomas Cook branding will adorn the City of Manchester Stadium and the club's award-winning training facility.

From the beginning of the 2004-5 season, the Club's home and away shirts and team training kit will carry the Thomas Cook logo.

Travel deals

In addition, Thomas Cook will become Manchester City's official travel partner.

This new element of the partnership will be of great interest to supporters of the Club who will be offered a range of exclusive travel deals. Plans are also in place to arrange soccer camps abroad for members of the Club's Junior Blues scheme.

"I am delighted at the prospect of Manchester City Football Club working in such close partnership with Thomas Cook. The opportunity to become the club's main sponsor generated a terrific response, however we only spoke to brands which were synonymous with quality and progression," said City managing director Alistair Mackintosh.

"It quickly became clear that Thomas Cook were the ideal choice, particularly because of their specific desire to work in partnership with the club in offering relevant and exciting product opportunities exclusively to our supporters. "

Echoing these sentiments, Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Chief Executive of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland said: "The two most talked about subjects in the UK must be football and holidays.

"Now, two of the best-known names, are linking up. Both have long established histories that have made them famous both here in the UK and abroad."

Thomas Cook have more than 100 shops in the region and Thomas Cook Airlines operate from Manchester Airport.

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