Barcelona agree mega Spotify sponsorship deal and set to rename Nou Camp and get massive boost to transfer kitty

BARCELONA have agreed a mega-money partnership with Spotify.

Barca’s famous home will be renamed Spotify Camp Nou and the shirts of their men’s and women’s teams will carry the music streaming giant’s name.

Neither side is releasing figures but the deal will be worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Barca’s long-term tie-up with the Sweden-based music firm is likely to be the biggest in the history of football and one of the biggest ever in sport.

And it is set to revive the fortunes of the Catalan club after massive over-spending almost forced it into bankruptcy and led to Lionel Messi being allowed to leave on a free transfer.

Barca may now be able to compete for the biggest names in the summer transfer market.

Spotify chief Daniel Ek turned his attention to Barca after his bid to buy Arsenal was rebuffed by the Kroenke family last year.

Barca’s members approved a £1.3billion redevelopment of the Camp Nou in December and the stadium will take its new name from July for an unspecified, long-term period.

The team’s shirts will have Spotify’s name on the front for four seasons from 2022/3, while the training kit will also be branded for three years.

But the plan is for the deal to go beyond a normal sponsorship and create a sport and entertainment giant.

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Leading bands and artists are set to play concerts at the Camp Nou and to be promoted there and across the club’s media platforms.

Barca president Joan Laporta said: “We are very proud to announce a pioneering alliance like this with a world-renowned organization like Spotify. 

“This partnership will allow us to continue to bring the Club closer to its fans and make them feel, even more, part of the Barça family through unique experiences, combining two activities such as entertainment and football, making it possible for us to connect with new audiences around the world.“

The partnership is already signed but needs to be rubber-stamped by Barca’s members at an Extraordinary Delegate Members Assembly on April 3.

Such a massive deal would usually be announced with huge fanfare. 

But it is understood that it was in the process of being finalised in the week that Russia invaded Ukraine and it was thought inappropriate to celebrate it in the current circumstances.

Alex Norstrom, Spotify’s Chief Freemium Business Officer, said “We could not be more thrilled to be partnering with FC Barcelona to bring the worlds of Music and Football together. 

“From July, our collaboration will offer a global stage to Artists, Players and Fans at the newly-branded Spotify Camp Nou. 

“We have always used our marketing investment to amplify Artists and this partnership will take this approach to a new scale. 

“We’re excited to create new opportunities to connect with FC Barcelona’s worldwide fanbase.”