Moscow, July 18 (IANS/RIA Novosti) National carrier Aeroflot has become a general partner of Russian Premier League side CSKA Moscow in a $9 million sponsorship deal that also sees the team receive an Airbus A320.

The year-long contract was signed Wednesday by CSKA president Yevgeny Giner and Aeroflot general director Vitaly Savyelyev.

Aeroflot, majority-owned by the Russian government, had already been a lower-level CSKA sponsor, previously equipping the club with an older Tu-154 plane.

We all know what this huge company is all about, Giner said. It's a company that is working more and more effectively, and we will try not to spoil its image and become Russian champions this year, he added.

Goalkeeper and club captain Igor Akinfeev praised the airline.

Great conditions have been created for us: quality planes, beautiful stewardesses and great food. It's all top-notch, he said.

CSKA finished third last season, behind title winners Zenit St. Petersburg and city rivals Spartak Moscow.

Other CSKA sponsors include Korean car manufacturer Hyundai, Russian bank Promsvyazbank, IT firm Croc and the Aeropolis Hotel.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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