Konami Secures UEFA, Manchester United FC Licenses For PES 2009

Developer and publisher Konami secured licenses with the UEFA Champions League and soccer clubs Manchester United and Liverpool for PES 2009, the newest multiplatform installment of its Pro Evolution Soccer. With the UEFA agreement, Konami will include an exclusive UEFA Champions League mode using all elements and attributes of the seasonal club soccer competition in its upcoming game. The deal follows the conclusion of an exclusive four-year license with UEFA. "This deal showcases our commitment to taking PES 2009 forward in terms of licenses and realism," says Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH president Kunio Neo. "The UEFA Champions League is the jewel in the club competition crown." Konami also reached an agreement to feature current English and European Champions Manchester United, allowing PES 2009 to utilize the likenesses of the team's players and have full full use of the team's kits and club crests. Furthermore, the company is now an Official Partner of Liverpool FC, which grans Konami the right to use LFC logos and marks for all internal and commercial promotions. The team's players, kits, and logos will appear officially licensed in PES 2009. As an official partner of the Liverpool FC, Konami will see its forthcoming PES 2009 and subsequent titles declared 'Official Football Video Game of Liverpool FC.' PES 2009 will ship for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, PC, and mobile phones in fall 2008, with a Wii version following in 2009. Says Konami's PES team leader Jon Murphy, "Konami is continually striving to add key licences to the PES series, and the capture of the English game’s most successful club is another major step forward."