Leicester Tigers and UK independent parcel carrier Yodel have announced a new partnership which will see Yodel become the official delivery partner of the club’s online store.

The parcel carrier will start to deliver club merchandise to fans from Monday (August 17), as Tigers reports it has received its most ever kit pre-orders.

As part of the partnership, Yodel will have their logo across the coaching staff’s matchday laptops for the final nine rounds of the Gallagher Premiership 2019/20 season and the entirety of the 2020/21 season. Games in the remainder of this season will be shown in full on BT Sport, with record TV audiences expected to tune in as rugby fans get their fix.

Supporters who have ordered club merchandise, including those on pre-order, will have their products delivered via Yodel’s Xpect 24-hour service which provides customers with regular updates on their kit, including a two-hour window for delivery on the morning it is due.

Sam Holden, chief commercial officer at Yodel, commented: “Partnering with a rugby club as illustrious as Leicester Tigers is a proud moment for Yodel as we enter a new era of success and strength.

“With four of our depots in the area, we’re thrilled to be able to play a part in ensuring Tigers fans get the performance they deserve – on the pitch and when it comes to receiving their deliveries ready for matchday. We’re big fans of the new kit designs and can’t wait to serve the loyal Leicester Tigers fanbase by delivering their merchandise this year.”

Andrea Pinchen, Tigers’ chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Yodel on board as our Official Delivery Partner, especially with the management of the club shop and online business now running entirely in-house.

“We are looking forward to developing a long-lasting relationship with the team and Yodel, and it is great to have their support. The Yodel team will ensure the safe delivery of the new kits to our supporters from Monday, August 17.”

Mark Davies, head of business development at Leicester Tigers, commented: “We’re excited to welcome Yodel into the Tigers Family as we begin to build for future successes. Yodel is a renowned brand that matches with our club ethos of working as a team to reach the highest level, making it the perfect delivery partner for the club.”