Man Utd agree a five-year partnership deal with Malaysia’s leading telecommunications company.

Premier League leaders Manchester United have signed a five-year deal with Telekom Malaysia (TM), which will become its “Official Integrated Telecommunications partner” in the Far Eastern country.

TM is the largest telecommunications company in Malaysia, posting an increase in profits in 2009 of 180.4% compared to the previous year. The company is developing its tour match sponsorship of Man Utd into a complete partnership with the Club.

Man Utd’s Director of Commercial, Richard Arnold, commented: “The Club is at the forefront of building relationships with its fans through digital media and this partnership helps us to maintain that position. Telekom Malaysia knows all about the power of the Club to energise people in Malaysia and they have some great ideas about how to bring this deal to life.”

Man Utd’s success in Malaysia is clearly evident with approximately 25% of the population supporting the Club. Its tours of the Far East attract large crowds with around 40,000 attending the training sessions with the same figure supporting the team at a match in Kuala Lumpur.

Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Group CEO of TM, said of the deal: “We are very happy seeing two champions in their respective fields coming together in a partnership such as this.

“Just like Manchester United, winning and being the best at what we’re at is our business, and that is why we believe this partnership will benefit both entities. This agreement also goes to show that anything is possible when we connect, communicate and collaborate.”

The deal adds to the growing list of international partnerships, including the agreement formed last year with Bharti Airtel in Asia.

The Club has not been out of the headlines this week with its success in the Champions League, coupled with the growing animosity towards its American owners. The Red Knights – a group of financiers looking to mount a takeover – have reportedly taken on the services of a Japanese investment bank to provide advice on the move.