After a gap of ten years, Fulham have brought adidas back on board as the official technical kit supplier of the club. The club announced on Friday and a long-term partnership deal with adidas has been signed.
Since the end of a six-year partnership with adidas in 2003, Fulham have had four kit suppliers – Puma, Airness, Nike and Kappa. All of these deals were short term with the longest running for just three years.
It has been a trait that has featured in Fulham history dating back to 1974. Fulham have not been able to establish a long-term kit supplier deal and only adidas have come forth and offered Fulham deals longer than three years.
Their first partnership began in 1977 when they took over from Umbro and it ran for four years, till 1981. Then it was not until 1997 that adidas returned as the official kit supplier. After a number of two to three year deals in the years, Fulham sticked with adidas for six years until Puma took over in 2003.
Fulham join an exclusive list of clubs who benefit from a partnership with adidas. Clubs like Real Madrid, AC Mila, Bayern Munich, as well as other Premier League teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, etc.
CEO of Fulham, Alistair Mackintosh, commented on the deal:
“adidas has a fantastic football heritage and tradition and I know that we will work well together.
“The synergy between the two organisations has led to a partnership that promises both brands a platform on which to achieve success.”
adidas’ senior Manager Commercial Clubs, Steve Holland, said:
“Fulham is a very welcome partner to adidas’ strong portfolio of football clubs both globally and in the UK.
“We share a successful history together and look forward to an exciting, long and rewarding future partnership.”
There is no official word on the financial value of this deal but with the top-four of the Premier League striking huge commercial deals recently, Fulham would not have settled for anything less than a decent sum.
Also joining team adidas from next year are West Ham who signed a deal that will see adidas as their kit supplier until 2015. The following year, adidas will manufacture kits for Arsenal as well.
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