Saints youth teams will bear a new name on their shirts thanks to one of the biggest sponsorship deals in the club's history.

Centerprise International, a Basingstoke-based computer manufacturer, have signed a three-year deal worth more than £500,000 to the club.

Outside of first-team shirt sponsorship, it is the most lucrative package the club have ever secured - Centerprise are paying some £200,000 a year to become the inaugural Founding Partner of Southampton FC.

They will supply all the PCs and Information Technology at the new stadium.

In return they will get an executive box, perimeter advertising and their branding on the shirts of the Academy's Under-17 and Under-19 sides.

It is the first time the club's youth teams have ever had a different sponsor from the professionals and it marks the start of a range of new marketing opportunities.

Chairman Rupert Lowe said: "This is an important strategic link with a dynamic local company who are market leaders in their field.

"These are exciting times. The ground is progressing, the team are doing well, we are still in the Cup and the whole vity is buzzing."

Rafi Razzak, Centerprise managing director, said: "We are one of the best-kept secrets in industry, even though we have a turnover of £125 million and are growing at the rate of £30 million a year.

"We are the second largest manufacturer of PCs and have won numerous awards, including Hampshire Business of the Year.

"We are delighted to be providing funding for the club's rising stars who represent its future."