AMIR Khan has been signed up by a leading sports agency in a deal that could earn the Bolton boxer millions of pounds in sponsorship fees.

The 19-year-old Olympic silver medalist will join top stars Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jonny Wilkinson at SFX, one of Europe's major sports client management agencies.

They represent more than 100 professional footballers, top rugby union stars and broadcasters Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan.

It is another step along the way to fame and fortune for the Heaton teenager who has almost single-handedly put boxing back on the map in the last few months with his exploits in Athens and his live exposure on ITV.

His fights have attracted huge television audiences and his fifth bout against Belarussian Vitali Martynov in Nottingham on Saturday is another sellout.

Business manager Asif Vali says the partnership with SFX can realise Khan's earnings potential.

"They have many top stars and now Amir is up with them. They find corporate sponsorship fees for sports stars and even though I have brought in three or four deals, SFX can find more ways of finding revenue in the future," he said.

"SFX is the biggest sports agency out there and can bring in big deals. They are the experts and they will get major sponsorships, where I felt I was not getting the response I was after.

"We have taken it to a level and we need to take it to a higher level.

"You can't put a figure on it but there is the potential to earn millions of pounds if you do it right and that is why we have brought in SFX.

"Remember it is a very short career and there is always the taxman, VAT and whatever else that has to be paid. The rest has to be invested wisely for him in the future."

Newcastle United footballer Michael Owen has had many lucrative sponsorship deals including one with Jaguar; former soccer player Gary Lineker has become famous for starring in a string of adverts for Walkers Crisps and England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson is sponsored by top menswear company Hackett.

A spokesman for SFX said: "Amir is young and articulate and represents all the qualities associated with top level sport."