Goodison Park home of Everton FC
EVERTON FC will significantly boost their global presence next season when they sign a new three-year kit deal with Nike.
The Blues, who currently wear Le Coq Sportif strips, will enter the big league of kit manufacturers by wearing shirts designed by the US sportswear giant which boasts Barcelona, Manchester United and Brazil as customers.
Reports elsewhere today that the deal will result in David Moyes being handed a £10m transfer war-chest are wide of the mark, with the Blues set to prosper more in marketing opportunities than by an immediate up-front influx of cash.
* Read more: Part three of our in-depth series marking David Moyes’ ten years at Goodison
Supporters are likely to get their first glimpse of the new home shirt before the end of the season in May, and the team could then be set to wear it in their final home game of the season against Newcastle.
Nike will make the home, away and third strip for the Toffees – the first time they have dipped their toe in the Merseyside football market.
The deal comes as a result of Everton’s established £30m contract with sports retailers Kitbag to market the club’s merchandise worldwide.
Signed by chief executive Robert Elstone in 2009 the agreement was the biggest commercial contract in the club’s 131-year history, as Kitbag – who have their own contracts with Le Coq Sportif and Nike – took responsibility for high street shopping, mail order and the club’s online store.
Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka admits he may be forced to spend much of the most pivotal period of Everton’s campaign watching from the bench.
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