The deal, which had already been widely reported, runs from the 2006/7 season and will see adidas become the Official Sportswear Supplier, Official Product Supplier and Official Kit Supplier to Chelsea Football Club as well as a Partner, Club Sponsor and Technical Sponsor.
“Adidas has a policy of working with the very best and we believe Chelsea Football Club represents just that,” said adidas-Salomon CEO Herbert Hainer. “Like adidas, they are a driving force in the game with a long and proud heritage. adidas has a passion for football and we believe that this shared outlook will enable us to build a long and successful partnership.”
Peter Kenyon, Chelsea's chief executive, said: “We believe a global partnership with adidas will be a huge step in helping the club achieve its long-term strategic goals. Together we can become a formidable team.”
The sponsorship agreement comes into effect on July 1, 2006. It follows Chelsea’s decision to pull out of its existing deal with Umbro, due to run until 2011, which cost the club £24.5million.
Last year adidas was an Official Supplier to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA EURO 2004, the AFC Asian Cup and the Athens Olympic Games.
It also has partnerships with football federations including Germany, host of the 2006 World Cup, South Africa, host of the 2010 World Cup, European Champions Greece, Asian Champions Japan and Olympic Champions Argentina.
Prominent clubs include FC Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, AC Milan and FC River Plate, and there are individual deals with high-profile players such as David Beckham, ZinC)dine Zidane and Michael Ballack.
