Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced the signing of a four year deal securing exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League. The UEFA Champions League is Europe's greatest soccer club competition and will be fully featured in the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, all of which are scheduled to be available on November 11, 2008 in North America.
"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 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 will feature the UEFA Champions League and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Konami."
The deal will allow Konami to use all elements and attributes of the Champions League competition with PES 2009, including related music and imagery. The licence confirms Konami's commitment to extending the series' reputation as the definitive and most realistic football series available, with key gameplay enhancements to be revealed in the coming months.
"The Champions League is the premiere soccer club competition and is a great addition to one of the many innovations we have lined up for Pro Evolution Soccer 2009," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment. "We always strive to make the PES series as true to life as possible and this year is no different. Soccer fans can expect to see major graphic and gameplay improvements and will surely be impressed by the sheer depth of realism this year's game brings to the table."
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 will be released for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Windows PC, and PSP (PlayStationPortable) system on November 11, 2008. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 will also be available for the Wii and is scheduled to be released early 2009.