The Argentine Football Association (AFA) and online gaming software provider Smartsoft have announced a new sponsorship agreement.

Under the deal, Smartsoft has been designated as an official digital sponsor of the Argentine national teams.

The agreement represents the AFA’s first commercial deal in Europe as it continues its expansion into new regions.

As the AFA’s digital sponsor on the continent, Smartsoft customers will have access to autographed t-shirts, match tickets, and exclusive access to the Argentine national teams.

The AFA said the partnership “consolidates its global leadership position and confirms its intention to continue strengthening its commercial activity internationally, attracting new markets and territories.”

Leandro Petersen, AFA  commercial and marketing manager, said: “Over the last few years we have established a strategic vision and objective for our association, to regain international prestige and global commercial attractiveness.

“This sponsorship agreement in the European territory with Smartsoft is the confirmation of our strategy. In this direction, the expansion plan continues to show signs of global consolidation. Together with Smartsoft we will develop commercial and marketing actions both digitally and at international industry events.”

Guga Gotsadze, SmartSoft managing partner, added: “This marks a historic moment for our company. We are delighted to be the first game provider in Europe to become a digital sponsor of the Argentina National Team and are confident that this collaboration will propel our company and our games to new horizons.”

The AFA has secured several new commercial partners since the men’s national team won the FIFA World Cup last year.

Since the country’s triumph in Qatar, the AFA has agreed partnerships with sports betting brands bplay and Dafabet, Xiaomi India, the Indian division of the Chinese designer and manufacturer of consumer electronics, and forex trading company XTrend.