Football League to be renamed English Football League from 2016-17

The Football League has announced that it will be renamed the English Football League (EFL) from the end of the current season.

In a statement this afternoon, the League said that the change was part of a "comprehensive corporate and competition re-branding".

The League's chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "In an increasingly challenging global sports market, it is absolutely essential that sports properties can project a modern identity that not only resonates with their regular audience but is also easily recognisable to a broader audience of potential fans, viewers and commercial partners. "We believe the EFL name and brand will give our competitions an identity that is new and distinct, while at the same time retaining our unique heritage. As such, it will be something that all fans can identify with - whether they be young or old, at home or abroad."

The League has designed a new logo - just the fourth in its 127-year history - and each of the 72 clubs will have their own version made up of their team colours.

The names of the three divisions - the Championship, League One and League Two - will remain as they are.