Manchester City Adds To Overseas Expansion, Invests In J.League Club YF Marinos

Man City has "bought a stake" in J.League club Yokohama F. Marinos, "expanding their links" with overseas football clubs, according to Keith Weir of REUTERS. Man City, owned by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour, has already bought A-League side Melbourne Heart and is launching the MLS side N.Y. City FC next season "as part of their commercial expansion from their base in northern England." Man City is "taking a stake" of less than 20% in the Japanese club, which has "long established ties with the Nissan car company who remain its main backer." Man City "will provide support in areas like training methods, coaching and medical care" to YF Marinos, which has not won the J.League since '04. In return, Man City "will get additional revenues and a chance to boost their brand in Japan" (REUTERS, 5/20). The AFP reported Nissan said the partnership has been "designed to create new global opportunities for the Yokohama F. Marinos and Japanese soccer talent." Terms of the deal "were not known" (AFP, 5/20).