Sports memorabilia producer Sportsrabilia has secured the global memorabilia license for soccer  star and FIFA Player of the Century, Pelé.

The four-and-a-half-year deal, struck between Sportsrabilia and Pelé’s global management agency, Legends 10, gives the London company exclusive global rights to the player’s signature.

Sportsrabilia will be responsible for safeguarding Pelé’s name by regulating the use of his signature on all items of memorabilia, marking the first time a deal of this nature has been made for sports memorabilia.

 “We’re extremely proud of this industry first, and to implement the initiative alongside an international legend such as Pelé is an honor. The black market is prospering through unregulated counterfeit memorabilia, conning consumers with fake authentication, and naturally players and clubs are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of control,” says Danny Schindler, chief executive officer, Sportsrabilia. “Our priority is to protect the fans, and by being the sole licensor of Pelé’s signature, we can ensure that what consumers are buying is 100 percent genuine.”

With three of the world’s biggest sporting events taking place in Pelé’s home country of Brazil throughout the duration of the contract (2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics), Sportsrabilia is preparing for the three-time World Cup winner’s profile and legacy to see increased attention.