BLACKBURN Rovers have announced a new multi-million pound, multi-year shirt sponsorship deal with online gaming company Dafabet.

Dafabet, a leading global brand in the online gaming market, will carry its logo on the front of Rovers’ home and away kits from the beginning of next season.

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The Asian company, the current shirt sponsors of FA Cup finalists Aston Villa, will also become the club’s official international betting and gaming partner.

It is understood the agreement is worth seven figures plus bonuses for Rovers and will last a minimum of three years.

And it is also believed that the deal, which is one of the best of its kind in the Championship, allows for the option of an annual pre-season overseas game for the club’s first team.

Alan Myers, Rovers’ director of communications, said: “Although new to English football in 2011 when they signed Rovers legend Alan Shearer as an international ambassador, Dafabet has already enjoyed successes within the Premier League including then being FA Cup finalists Aston Villa’s shirt sponsor for the last two seasons.

“Partnering with a well respected, forward thinking and successful international company such as Dafabet, who genuinely understand UK sport sponsorship, will benefit everyone associated with the club.”

The Lancashire Telegraph can today reveal the design of Rovers’ new home strip.

Dafabet was founded in 2004 and is a significant investor and operator in the online gaming industry with a proven track record, offering sports book services that cover more than 5,000 live events from across the world on a weekly basis, as well as a wide variety of the most popular and enjoyable casino games and promotions on the web.

John Cruces, head of sports marketing and sponsorship at Dafabet, said: “We are very proud to become Blackburn Rovers main sponsor.

“Everyone is aware that this year is the 20th anniversary of Rovers winning the Premier League and we were sold on the club’s ambition to get back into English football’s top flight.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the Dafabet logo on such an iconic football shirt and working together with the club on a long term mutually beneficial partnership which complements our other investments in UK sport.”

Outgoing Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson, meanwhile, is being heavily linked with a move to his former club Leeds United.

The ex-England number one will leave Ewood Park in the summer after his contract expires.

Robinson has made 202 appearances across seven seasons for Rovers.

But the 35-year-old has not featured in a matchday squad since losing his place between the posts to Jason Steele for the 1-0 win at Fulham on September 20.