New sponsor unveiled today

West Ham United's new sponsor - XL Airlines - is set to be officially later today.

The travel company are set to succeed Jobserve as United's new sponsor after signing a three-year-deal with the club thought to be worth around £2.5m per year.

As part of the deal, the company's giant logo is set to cover the entire East Stand roof - an area of around 110 metres wide - whilst United's new Umbro kit, set for release next weekend, will also feature XL branding.

An internal memo sent to all XL employees by CEO Phil Wyatt this morning said:

"I am delighted to announce to you all that today XL will be officially announced as the principle sponsor of West Ham United Football Club.

"This represents a significant step towards developing XL as a household travel brand in the UK.

"All the players club shirts will carry the XL.com logo, and we will also have a heavy presence in all West Ham advertising.

"We see this as a great opportunity for us to raise our profile and feel that XL will only benefit from the kudos that being associated with a Premiership club brings.

"This is an exciting time for the XL leisure Group, and we see this link-up as another important step towards becoming one of the world's most well-know travel brands."

XL - who changed their names from Excel last winter - are the fifth largest holiday company in the UK, and employ around 20,000 people worldwide. The company has an annual turnover in excess of £2bn.