Norwich City Football Club is celebrating a new sponsorship deal - but a decision is yet to be made on the name that will adorn the team's shirts next season.

Norwich City Football Club is celebrating a new sponsorship deal - but a decision is yet to be made on the name that will adorn the team's shirts next season.

The Canaries have linked up with budget airline Flybe until the end of the current campaign in a move that will provide a significant boost to the Carrow Road coffers, and are hopeful that the arrangement will extend beyond that.

The company is already main sponsor at Premiership outfit Birmingham City and Exeter City, of the Nationwide Conference, and speculation will now inevitably increase that its is about to add City to its portfolio.

The club's current deal with Proton runs out in three months' time but discussions are continuing with the Malaysian-based car giants over a new deal - and City' director of sales and marketing Andrew Cullen said supporters should not start leaping to conclusions following yesterday's announcement.

“We continue to have a very successful and productive relationship with our shirt sponsors Proton and discussions on the long-term future are continuing,” he said. “We expect that the position regarding shirt sponsorship for the 2006-7 season will become clear in the next few weeks.”

For the time being Cullen is just delighted to have another high-profile local company on board - and regards the airline, who have been operating out of Norwich Airport since last February, as the latest addition to a strong “family” of sponsors.

“It's great news that Flybe have come on board as a sponsor for the remainder of the season and will bring with them new support for the club,” he continued. “We look forward to working together during this season and building a strong relationship as we go forward.”

“We are fortunate enough to enjoy sponsorship from a wide range of the business community in Norfolk - we don't rely just on our shirt sponsors. This is the latest addition to that family.

“Initially fans will see a greater advertising presence around the ground and in the club's publications. Down the line they may well see Flybe become very active in our community programmes.”

The South-West based airline confirmed it was keen to establish an ongoing relationship with the Canaries and was looking to continue and grow the sponsorship arrangements for 2006/2007.

General manager of market development Ian Taylor said: “We're proud to be included as a sponsor of Norwich City and are excited about becoming more involved in the local community. The people in East Anglia have been hugely supportive of our base at Norwich since we began operating in February 2005, so it's great to be able to give something back. We're looking forward to supporting Norwich City FC this year and hope to see them fly up the league table in the coming months!”

Flybe has made significant investments at Norwich Airport since launching the base last year and has introduced 15 new routes out of the city.