PES Gets Champions League, Man United & Liverpool News

Pro Evolution Soccer will be the new home for Champions League football with confirmation that PES 2009 will be the first title in the series to feature Europe's premiere competition.

In a swoop of Robinho proportions, Konami have grabbed the license from under EA's nose following last year's reasonable adaptation. The agreement grants Konami a four-year deal, allowing Seabass' team to use all elements and attributes to create an exclusive Champions League mode within the game.

"The Pro Evolution Soccer series is synonymous with football being played at the highest level, which makes it perfect for hosting the best club football competition in the world", commented UEFA. "We are delighted that PES 2009 will feature the UEFA Champions League and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Konami."

"This deal showcases our commitment to taking PES 2009 forward in terms of licences and realism," commented Kunio Neo, President for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. "The UEFA Champions League is the jewel in the club competition crown, and is just one of many innovations we have lined up for the new game."

Not only that but PES 2009 will feature fully licensed deals with Manchester United and Liverpool (yay no Chelsea or Arsenal) this time around, ensuring proper strips, sponsors and club crests. Key player likenesses such as Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand, Christiano Ronaldo, Edwin Van Der Sar, Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jaime Carragher will also be presented with bespoke animations to ensure PES' already notable authenticity.

"Konami is continually striving to add key licences to the PES series, and the capture of the English game's most successful club is another major step forward," commented Jon Murphy, PES Team Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. "The team has worked hard to recreate the skill and pace of Manchester United, and their fans will be delighted with the most realistic recreation of their squad in any video game."

"PES has long been the game of choice for a large number of the Liverpool squad, so I am delighted that Konami is to be an Official Partner of LFC," commented Ian Ayre, Commercial Director of Liverpool FC. "Our agreement allows for a far-reaching series of partnership initiatives that cover all aspects of the club's media outlets, cross-promotional elements both online and in print and, of course, the closest possible representation of our talented squad in a video game. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Konami and helping the PES series continue its international growth."