"We are really pleased to have signed Roberto," said Debbie Poulson, general manager of Solo Sports, Arena's distributor in the UK.

"He's a great young talent and has been knocking on the podium door at the big international events for a while now, and we believe he can take it to the next level in Glasgow and beyond.

"Given that Arena will be Team England's technical sponsor at the Commonwealth Games, we'll be close to the squad at all times, and will be able to give Roberto all the support he needs.

"With Team England and now Roberto having joined the Arena family - along with Fran Halsall, who has been on the Elite Team for several years - we feel really excited about the three diamond future in the United Kingdom."

Roberto Pavoni's sponsorship deal follows the announcement of Arena's partnership with Team England ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games ©pentaphoto

Pavoni made his British Championships debut in 2006 at just 15-years-old.

He sealed his first major international medal two years later at the European Junior Championships in Belgrade, winning 400 metres individual medley gold, 200m butterfly silver, and 200m individual medley bronze.

He repeated his 400m individual medley success a year later in Prague and in 2010 was picked to represent England at the 2010 Commonwealth Games after sealing his first British 400m individual medley title.

He also picked up silver and bronze in the 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley respectively.

Roberto Pavoni has won the British 400m individual medley title for the past three years
©Getty Images



The Commonwealth Games saw Pavoni reach the final of both the 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly, finishing seventh in each.

In 2011, Pavoni made his debut at the World Championships, where he reached the final of the 400m individual medley.

The youngster saw his dream realised in 2012 when he competed in front of a home crowd at the London Olympic Games, where he failed to advance beyond the heats in the 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly.

Pavoni now trains with coach James Renwick at the Intensive Care Centre in Loughborough, and is expected to be picked for England in his favourite events - the 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly - for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as well as the Great Britain team for the European Championships in Berlin.

"This is really exciting for me," said Pavoni.

"Being supported by the world's leading swimwear company gives me a real boost going into a European Champs and Commonwealth Games year, and  it is great to be selected by Arena.

"I will certainly be doing everything I can to excel in the pool, and to represent and promote the Arena brand outside of it."

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