Nuffield Health is believed to be the first charity to take a paid-for sponsorship with a sporting team, becoming official health sponsor of Harlequins Rugby Club.

Nuffield will receive branding on the back of the club’s new playing shirts and advertising at The Twickenham Stoop, the club’s home ground.

It will also work closely with the playing department in providing advice on issues such as rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Although Nuffield Health is believed to be the first to pay for a sponsorship deal with a sporting team, FC Barcelona and Aston Villa have previously donated space on their shirts for the logos of Unicef and Acorns Children’s Hospice respectively.

David Grint, group marketing director at Nuffield Health, said: “We are very excited to be working with the Harlequins this season.

“We are confident that our expertise across the health spectrum will help ensure that players and supporters are at the very top of their game.”