English football giants Manchester United have announced a ten-year football kit manufacturing deal with German provider adidas.
The deal - officially billed under the umbrella title of "global technical sponsorship and dual branding licensing" - will be worth a guaranteed £750 million, equating to £75 million a season, and may even go on to dwarf those advertised figures via additional avenues.
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The agreement heralds the end of United's partnership with Nike, who took over from Umbro in 2001. The 2014-15 season will see the Red Devils remain partners with the American manufacturer, drawing to a close the 13-year association.
Prior to Umbro, adidas itself had held the honour of having its erstwhile Trefoil logo and famous three stripes mounted on Manchester United shirts during the early - pre-Premier League era - reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. Having seen Ferguson pick up his first trophy at the helm - the 1990 FA Cup - adidas will hope to ignite or further the success of Louis Van Gaal's new incarnation, or that of whoever is in charge come the 2015-16 campaign, when the new deal commences.
The announcement also puts to bed rumours of the Old Trafford side agreeing deals with multiple sportswear/leisurewear manufacturers, with different versions of replica shirts sold, each style with its respective brand logo.
