Football club Plymouth Argyle is chasing a major sponsorship deal in Japan, but won't be able to finalize it until 2009.
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The English football club has revealed that it is in talks with one of Japan's largest advertising firms about 'various sponsorship and advertising opportunities'.
The talks follow the arrival of Japanese businessman Yasuaki Kagami as a director in April and, two months later, the appointment of Japanese footballing legend Yasuhiko Okudera as president.
Argyle said Mr Kagami has been using his Far East business contacts in a bid to set up deals.Argyle chairman Paul Stapleton warned that securing sponsorship deals in Asia would be dependent on the Pilgrims landing Japanese players.
And this can't happen until at least January, after the J-League season ends and when there is an international transfer window.
But he stressed the club is already scouting top J-League stars and promising youngsters.
Manager Paul Sturrock has been watching DVDs of 'leading J-League players', and the club wants him to jet to Japan to watch potential signings in the flesh.
Argyle also revealed that Mr Okudera has had 'very constructive meetings' with the Japanese Football Association, about the Pilgrims' plans to sign young up-and-coming Japanese stars.
Mr Stapleton stressed: "Japan has attracted a lot of attention from foreign clubs, but very few have been successful there.
"It takes a long time to develop the contacts and trust required to operate in that market and that is why we are very fortunate to have Mr Okudera and Mr Kagami on board.
"He said marketing deals would have to wait until at least the new year.
"Firstly, we have to get the Japanese players in and that won't be until January, at the earliest," he said.
"Even then, that will be dependent on whether the manager can find the players he wants.
He said any signings would be 'entirely a matter for the manager'.
