Albion net new kit deal with Adidas

Albion have secured their biggest ever kit deal after ditching Umbro and signing with Adidas.

The multi-year deal was confirmed today and could be worth up to £1.5m per season to the Baggies.

The agreement with German giants Adidas is the most lucrative ever for Albion, reflecting their growing profile after their best Premier League season.

The five-year association with Umbro was believed to be worth around £1m per season.

The new kits will be unveiled officially when Albion have finalised negotiations over their main kit sponsor for next season.

The deal struck with domestic emergency firm Homeserve last summer was only for one season and officials are now weighing up their sponsorship options.

But the new strip is expected to be ready well in advance of the club's pre-season fixtures in early July.

Albion chief executive, Mark Jenkins, said today: "We are delighted to have joined forces with Adidas, who are renowned for the design and quality of their sportswear.

"We see it as a real coup to be working with such a leading worldwide brand, which reflects the strides we, as a club, have made both on and off the field in recent years.

"We are looking forward to unveiling our new home and away kits and training gear in the coming weeks."

To mark the new deal, both the Stadium Megastore and Merry Hill Club Shop will undergo complete makeovers, featuring Adidas graphic panels, signage and wall units.

The Baggies are likely to take to the field in Adidas kit on July 20 for their warm-up game against Portland Timbers in Portland, Oregon, home to the US headquarters of Adidas.

The Baggies will become the second Midlands club to sign with Adidas in the last year after Stoke struck a three-year deal last summer.

The Baggies are celebrating a Premier League windfall of £8m thanks to their 11th-place finish.

But the points haul of 47 means they will pay out £5.8m in players' survival bonuses.