The Singapore Rugby Union and Rhino Rugby signed an agreement to become the official "training and equipment supplier for the SRU for the next two years." SRU said that the partnership "would allow the national rugby teams to train using top quality Rhino products" (TODAY, 1/18). ... Arsenal player Mesut Özil will wear "ground-breaking" laceless adidas boots for the first time against Chelsea on Sunday, and he has described the prospect of wearing the boots "a dream come true." Özil has gone in to "some detail to explain just why he hates wearing laces." Özil: "My whole career I have tried to minimize the impact of laces on my strike and ball control. ... When they came to me last year with the laceless boots, it was like they have created my dream product. I cannot wait to wear them on the pitch" (London INDEPENDENT, 1/18). ... Teen figure skater You Young, the youngest Korean national champion, "has joined the agency of her idol, Kim Yu-na." All That Sports announced You, who captured the national ladies' singles title on Jan. 10 at age 11, "has signed a three-year deal" (KOREA HERALD, 1/18). ... Sergio Tacchini has renewed its exclusive licensing agreement with IMG, which will continue to represent the Italian sportswear brand on an int'l basis. The multi-year deal comes as Sergio Tacchini prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. IMG originally started working with the brand in '12 (IMG). ... Beverage company Pfanner "extended its sponsorship of the ÖFB Samsung Cup, Austria’s premier knockout competition." The new deal, negotiated on behalf of the Austrian FA (ÖFB) by the Sporteo agency, will see Pfanner "remain a partner of the competition for the second consecutive season." The agreement "includes the usual branding elements, including advertising during matches, as well as a ticket allocation." Financial terms "have not been released" (SOCCEREX, 1/18). ... Polish side Legia Warsaw renewed its sponsorship deal "with local taxi company ELE Taxi for a further two years." ELE became an official partner of the club in '14, and "now extended that association" until '18. Under the deal, ELE Taxi "will be given exclusive access to the Polish Army Stadium, Legia's home ground, on matchdays, and will display the Legia club flag on its cars." It "will also receive advertising and promotional opportunities within the stadium" (SOCCEREX, 1/18).
