Michael Caruso will race in the blue and white hues of A-League club Melbourne City in Townsville this weekend as part of a new tie-up between the team and Nissan.

Nissan has become the official automotive partner of the soccer squad following the recent relaxation of team sponsorship rules in the Hyundai-backed A League.

The Japanese car maker, which has an existing association with Melbourne City owners the City Football Group, is using Caruso’s Supercar to promote the new deal.

Caruso is a noted soccer fan and recently accompanied Nissan competition winners to the UEFA Champions League final in Milan, Italy.

The 33-year-old arrives in Townsville looking to repeat his breakthrough victory at Hidden Valley two weeks ago, which gave Nissan its first Supercars race win in three years.

“My approach will be the same this weekend as what it was in Darwin and prior to that,” said Caruso ahead of this weekend’s twin 200km races in Townsville.

“It was fantastic to get a race win for Nissan up in Darwin and everyone is quite pumped up.

“Heading to Townsville, it’s a great opportunity for us… hopefully we can do it (the livery) some justice and have a great result.”

Melbourne City goalkeeper Tomas Sorenson will be at the Castrol Edge Townsville 400 this weekend as a guest of Nissan Motorsport.

Nissan Australia’s major plunge into the A-League comes as its global bosses continue to weigh up its future in the Supercars Championship.

VIDEO: Nissan unveils Melbourne City livery