Barcelona sign the first-ever sponsorship deal... to have logo INSIDE their shirts

Barcelona have signed up with technology giant Intel, who will have their logo in an unusual place - on the inside of Messi and Co's shirts.

The computer chip firm has signed a partnership with the Catalan giants to be the club's official technology partner, with the 'Intel inside' logo becoming the first-ever placement inside the clubs' shirts.

Spain stars Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique showed off the new shirts at a launch event, along with Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.

Lift it up: Carles Puyol (left) and Gerard Pique (right) show off the strange new sponsorship

Star-studded: Pique, Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Neymar (left-right) at the launch of the partnership

The new partnership will also see Intel produce groundbreaking technology for the club's famous La Masia academy, which has produced a huge number of stars in the current squad - Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. 

Barcelona players and coaches will also snap up the latest Intel-based devices, while the firm will work with the club to improve training and performance through data.

'It is a huge satisfaction for FC Barcelona to be able to join forces and share the values of innovation and teamwork with a company of such worldwide prestige as Intel,' said Rosell. 

'We are both trendsetters in our fields, and I am convinced the collaboration we are starting today will be very important. It will mean much more than a financial sponsorship.'

World class: Intel will produce the technology for La Masia, the academy which produced stars like Lionel Messi

Young gun: Brazil star Neymar netted a hat-trick in Barcelona's Champions League demolition of Celtic

Meanwhile, Barca's hopes of acquiring land from the city's university to build a new stadium appear to have hit a major stumbling block.

Barca this week announced plans to either redevelop their current Nou Camp home or move to land owned by the university adjacent to the Avinguda Diagonal in L'Hospitalet.

However, the University on Thursday released a statement in which it denied holding any talks with the Spanish champions and reiterated its unwillingness to sell any land.