Premiership: City land £5m windfall

Manchester City have secured a £5m (€8.1m) windfall ahead of their Barclaycard Premiership campaign next season.

The First Division champions announced yesterday they have clinched a shirt sponsorship deal with financial and legal services group First Advice.

The three-year contract will kick in next season when the club aim to cement their place in the top flight.

Chairman David Bernstein re-emphasised his intention to give manager Kevin Keegan maximum cash backing in the top flight.

After signing former Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, the former England boss is determined to bring other big names to Maine Road.

Bernstein said: ‘‘When people say is this new sponsorship money available for players, it is a bit of a naive question. You have to look at the overall position.

‘‘What I can say is our income next season will go up by more than 50% and that is the key figure.’’