LONDON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Manchester United announced on Thursday that Kohler, a global lifestyle brand, has become the club's first ever shirt sleeve sponsor.

The club said in a statement that the two sides agreed to a "multi-year global partnership" and the US company's logo will feature on the sleeve of the Manchester United shirt for both the men's and women's teams.

The partnership also includes joint participation on game-day activities, improvements to club facilities and global sustainability and social responsibility projects.

The new shirt will be unveiled next week and will be worn for the first time by the men's team in the opening fixture of its pre-season tour in the United States against local club America in Phoenix, Arizona.

"We are very careful [in] ensuring we have the right partner," said Richard Arnold, Manchester United's Group Managing Director.

Although shirt sleeve branding has been prominent throughout European leagues for years, it had always been banned in England's top flight. Most of Manchester United's Premier League rivals had sleeve sponsors last season but United took a more cautious attitude.

"An essential component of the relationship is our support of the new professional women's team, and we look forward to their debut and our ongoing support," David Kohler, the company's president and CEO said.