The Catalan giants have previously refused shirt deals and, for the past five years, have instead paid international children's charity Unicef to carry their logo.

But the club's current sizeable debt means they are no longer in a position to turn down valuable income and their link-up with the Qatar Foundation, worth 30 million euros a year from next season through to 2016, could free up some funds for coach Pep Guardiola.

Senior club executives said the deal was a "remarkable milestone because it represents a record level of revenue for a football club and has more value still in the current economic climate".

The Catalan giants have previously refused shirt deals and, for the past five years, have instead paid international children's charity Unicef to carry their logo.

But the club's current sizeable debt means they are no longer in a position to turn down valuable income and their link-up with the Qatar Foundation, worth 30 million euros a year from next season through to 2016, could free up some funds for coach Pep Guardiola.

Senior club executives said the deal was a "remarkable milestone because it represents a record level of revenue for a football club and has more value still in the current economic climate".

The Catalan giants have previously refused shirt deals and, for the past five years, have instead paid international children's charity Unicef to carry their logo.

But the club's current sizeable debt means they are no longer in a position to turn down valuable income and their link-up with the Qatar Foundation, worth 30 million euros a year from next season through to 2016, could free up some funds for coach Pep Guardiola.

Senior club executives said the deal was a "remarkable milestone because it represents a record level of revenue for a football club and has more value still in the current economic climate".