COLCHESTER United will compete in the Leasing.com Trophy this season.

The EFL have today announced a three-year deal with the leading new car marketplace to become the EFL Trophy's official sponsor.

Colchester travel to play Gillingham next month in their opening Group A game in this season's competition, which was previously known as the Checkatrade Trophy.

They will also play host to Tottenham Hotspur's under-21 side and Ipswich Town, in the competition group stages.

The exclusive partnership sees the competition become known as the ‘Leasing.com Trophy’ with immediate effect, with the deal running until the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.

As well as the title sponsorship, which encompasses all 127 matches across six rounds, culminating in a showpiece final at Wembley Stadium, Leasing.com will be an official partner with a portfolio of rights across the EFL and the EFL’s digital network.

The competition will continue in the same format, with a prize fund of almost £3million again on offer for a further three seasons, following a recent agreement to continue with the current format by EFL clubs.

EFL Chief Commercial Officer, Ben Wright, said: “The EFL is delighted to welcome Leasing.com to our portfolio of partners at the League ahead of the start of what we all hope is another successful and memorable EFL Trophy campaign.

“With the revised format now firmly established, this competition continues to go from strength to strength and the EFL is looking forward to working with the Leasing.com team as we plot this season’s journey to Wembley and move on to the next chapter of the EFL Trophy’s history”.

Leasing.com specialises in allowing personal and business customers to compare the widest range of leasing offers.

David Timmis, founder and MD of Leasing.com, said: “We’re delighted and immensely proud to have secured sponsorship of the EFL Trophy as part of our ongoing brand development campaign for Leasing.com.

“We want Leasing.com to become a household name and what better way to achieve that than to sponsor one of the most high-profile tournaments in English football.

“Car leasing used to be viewed as something that was only available to businesses, but we want everyone to know that leasing a new car is a simple, affordable option that all drivers should consider.

“Over the last 20 years we’ve already helped more than a million people find their perfect car leasing deal: this sponsorship offers an ideal opportunity for us to help millions more ‘Say goodbye to buying’.

“The EFL Trophy continues to grow every year and has huge potential, so it’s a perfect partnership and we can’t wait to get the ball rolling."