The club have just confirmed the cat that got out of the bag was indeed genuine and trading company FxPro will be Aston Villa’s commercial shirt sponsor beginning in 2010/11. The three year deal means their logo will replace Acorns, but the club retains key ties to the children’s charity.

FxPro are also principle sponsors of Virgin F1 and World Rally Championship and are clearly looking to expand their brand awareness.

It’s a shame to see Acorns go, but we knew it was only temporary and cold, hard economics mean that we have to sell the space, not continue to give it away. As for FxPro, their money is as good as anyone’s as far as I’m concerned.

The new shirt for the 2010/11 season is due to be unveiled in Birmingham on July 15th.

Click here for pictures of the event

Paul Faulkner
We are extremely pleased and excited to enter into this new partnership with FxPro. A lot of hard work has gone into the completion of this agreement and we believe it will be a good partnership for the club.

It reflects our continued growth as a club after a season in which we finished sixth in the Premier League for the third straight year while twice reaching Wembley – competing in the Carling Cup final and FA Cup semi-final.

Equally, we are pleased to confirm that Acorns will be our official charity partner and in meetings involving both FxPro and Acorns a close working alliance has already been forged.

David Strudley, CEO
“We are delighted to become Aston Villa’s official charity partner and equally thrilled to hear of the shirt partnership with FxPro, an organisation which has also undertaken to support us as a charity.

On behalf of the children of Acorns and their families, we would like to thank Aston Villa for all they have done for us and continue to undertake to do for us and we wish them every good fortune.