Newcastle United ends Virgin Money sponsorship deal
Newcastle United has said it is ending its multimillion-pound sponsorship deal with Virgin Money a year early.
The two-year deal, thought to be worth up to £10m, was signed in January after Virgin Money bought previous sponsor Northern Rock.
A United spokesman said the club, owned by Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley, would announce a new sponsor soon.
Virgin Money said, while it respected the club's decision, it had wanted to continue as the team's main sponsor.
In a statement, the club said: "Whilst Virgin Money will remain as club sponsor until the end of the current season, Newcastle United has chosen to exercise its contractual right, as both parties had the option to do, to end the two-year sponsorship deal with the bank at the end of this season.
"The Virgin Money name will continue to be worn on the iconic black and white shirts for the remainder of this season."
Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money said: "We were delighted to sponsor Newcastle United given the club's importance to the North East and had hoped that this would be a relationship that would flourish for years to come.
"However, they have found a different option and we have to respect that.
"We remain sponsor until the end of the current season and the Virgin Money name will continue to be worn on the iconic black and white shirts until then."
Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias added: "We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Virgin Money, however we have decided to end the agreement early and we will be announcing a new sponsorship partner shortly, which represents an excellent commercial deal for both parties."