BARCELONA have a new shirt sponsor after replacing Qatar Airlines with Japanese firm Rakuten.
But just who are the company who will emblazon one of the world’s most famous jerseys next season?
After news broke of the whopping four-year deal, SunSport provides all the info on a company you most likely won’t have heard of.
What do they do?
THINK of Rakuten as the Japanese equivalent of Amazon.
They sell everything from handbags to hanging baskets but originally specialised in electrical equipment.
Currently the top three ranked products on their website are a botanical shampoo, children’s colourful jeans and a ‘wonder-bra.’
Where are they based?
ALTHOUGH a Japanese company, they now ship their products worldwide and have a global store.
They’re clearly well in with Barca though – last year Gerard Pique was pictured visiting the offices in Tokyo.
And they’re the main sponsor of the Japan Open, so have a sporting pedigree.
I'm with my friend Mickey visiting the Rakuten's office. Great time in Tokyo with him and his family! pic.twitter.com/cF8pFiBl1l
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) June 27, 2015
How much are they worth?
FOUNDED in 1997, their chief executive is Hiroshi Mikitani and they employ just shy of 13,000 employees.
According to Forbes, the company made profits of £295m last year, with a revenue stream of £4.7billion.
That’s a lot of money – and it’s no surprise to see them moving onto a more global platform.
