Arsenal women have announced a landmark deal with Mastercard.

The financial services company will become the first major official partner to the Arsenal women’s team, who were crowned Women’s Super League (WSL) champions this season for the first time since 2012, though the Gunners remain the most decorated women’s team in English football.

This new deal comes on the back of several high-profile sponsorship deals from global brands into women’s football in recent months. Next season’s WSL will welcome naming partner Barclays for the first time, while there have been numerous other deals carried out as UEFA and others have split sponsorship packages to create standalone deals between women’s football and brands, rather than tagging it onto partnerships made in the men’s game.

Arsenal, for their part, have also sought to promote their Mastercard partnership as an investment into women’s football as a whole, and not just into their own team.

Arsenal Women’s general manager, Clare Wheatley, told the official Arsenal website, “This partnership is an exciting new chapter for us. The women’s game has grown exponentially in recent years, allowing more people around the world to experience and follow women’s football.

“The support from across the club and our fans has enabled us to win the Women’s Super League this season and qualify for the Uefa Champions League next season – and this partnership will help us to take our game to the next level.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s commercial director, Peter Silverstone, added, “This partnership is extremely important for the growth of the women’s game.

“Mastercard’s partnership with us isn’t just an investment into our own team, but is a powerful statement for the women’s game at large. We’re delighted that Mastercard has partnered with our women’s team to help the brand reach a broader audience to show its investment in, and commitment to, women’s sport.”