Online betting and gaming firm 888 has become an official sponsor of Shamrock Rovers Football Club for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, in a deal which it says “signals commitment to the local community”.

The collaboration will see the group become the club’s main sponsor, with its 888sport brand to be featured on the front of players’ shirts, as well as throughout the Tallaght Stadium.

888’s Dublin office, which employs 140 people, is little over eight miles from the side’s 8,000-seater Tallaght Stadium home, and is lauded as playing an important role in driving the growth of the sport division.

“We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Shamrock Rovers. The club enjoyed a fantastic season last year and is back fighting for a place in the Champions League for the first time in a decade,” stated Kieran Spellman, VP and head of 888sport.

“As a sizable employer in Dublin, committed to Dublin and to the Irish market, we are very much looking forward to playing our part in supporting our local team.”

The agreement between the pair has been signed in time for the new League of Ireland Premier Division, which begins on Friday 19 March and sees Shamrock Rovers begin its title defence at home to St Patrick’s Athletic. 

Last season, Rovers enjoyed an ‘Invincibles’ season, going unbeaten in 18 matches to be crowned champions for the first time since 2011. 

This season, the Hoops will play for a place in the UEFA Champions League, a decade on from becoming the first Irish side to reach the group stages of a top European competition after beating Partizan Belgrade in the play-off round of the Europa League.  

Ciarán Medlar, chairman of Shamrock Rovers Football Club, commented: “We welcome 888sport on board as our principal partner ahead of this weekend’s Presidents Cup match, before commencing our defence of the league title. 

“The team at 888sport share our desire for success and we look forward to working with them to build a strong relationship over the next two seasons.”