Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan became the face of Etihad Airlines as a new sponsor for Al Ain FC.
The leading scorer in the UAE top flight was unveiled alongside four cabin crew members as mascots during the partnership launch in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Gyan has only returned from international duty where he scored in Ghana’s impressive 4-0 win over Sudan in the 2014 World Cup qualifier last Sunday.
The partnership launch hosted by Al Ain board chairman Sheikh Abdullah Mohd Khalid Al Nahyan at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium sees the UAE national airline become the official airline for the football club.
The partnership will also Etihad Airways and Al Ain FC working together on a number of key initiatives such as the provision of club flights to Asian Champions League fixtures around the region as well as promotions for club management, players and supporters.
The UAE champions this join a list of successful sporting entities being sponsored by the airline which include current football and rugby Premier League Champions of England; Manchester City FC and Harlequins.
Etihad are also lead sponsors for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.