Manchester United players will have another American sponsor's three-letter logo emblazoned on their chests in the upcoming English soccer season, but the current shirt sponsor must be hoping the similarities end there.

Aon Corp. took over from the beleaguered American International Group Inc. as the team's sponsor earlier this year and the home kit for the 2010-11 season was unveiled last week, complete with Aon's logo on the front. It marks the beginning of Aon's four-year shirt sponsorship of the team.

The soccer team has a worldwide following and Aon is banking on the team's popularity to familiarize millions of soccer fans with its brand. Embattled insurer AIG was the club's sponsor until early 2009, when the company was forced to abandon its sponsorship due to financial woes.

In honor of its sponsorship, Chicago-based Aon will give all 36,000 of its employees a Manchester United team shirt.

“Our sponsorship of Manchester United is an important amplifier of our Aon United vision—to work together as one team for clients, for colleagues and for communities in order to grow our firm,” said Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon, in a statement. “This shirt sponsorship creates an opportunity for us to unite our firm while telling the world who we are and the value we bring to clients.”

Aon dedicated July 15 as “Aon United Global Day,” during which the brokerage's offices in 120 countries participated in fund-raising and volunteer activities, demonstrating Aon and Manchester United's shared commitment to serving their communities.