MIDDLESBROUGH FC has agreed a sponsorship deal with online betting company Marathonbet.

The one year partnership will see the North Stand at the Riverside Stadium renamed the Marathonbet North Stand.

Stan Reoutt, the chief executive of the firm, said: “We’re extremely pleased to add a club of Middlesbrough FC’s calibre to our suite of partners. In many ways, Marathonbet’s ambitions and goals are synonymous with those of the club.

"The UK is a key market for Marathonbet and we’re very confident that this partnership will help us reach our goals. We’re all looking forward to joining Boro fans in supporting the club in its pursuit back to the Premier League.”

Neil Bausor, Boro's chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Marathonbet as a key partner to MFC. The sponsorship of our North Stand will see the Club and Marathonbet working closely together to deliver a number benefits to our fans whilst helping Stan and his team continue to grow the Marathonbet brand. We look forward to what will be an exciting season for us both.”

Marathonbet was established in 1997, is headquartered in Brighton and licensed in the southern Caribbean island of Curacao. It holds a licence issued by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission which allows it to trade in the UK.

The firm recently singed a deal to become Manchester United's global betting partner.