Villa sign £25m kit deal with Nike

Aston Villa have signed a kit deal with Nike worth £25 million over five seasons, the biggest in the club's history.

The agreement, announced on 7 February, will see the American sportswear giant make Villa's home, away and goalkeeper kits from the start of next season. Nike take over from the Danish firm Hummel, which has made the club's kit since 2004.

A sign of ambition

The deal is another sign of the changes at Villa Park since Randy Lerner took control of the club last year. The American owner has promised to raise the club's profile, both in Britain and abroad, and the Nike partnership puts Villa alongside some of the biggest names in world football.

Nike already makes kits for Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona, as well as the Brazil national team. A global brand could help Villa reach new fans overseas.

The money will give the club more to spend on players and facilities, helping manager Martin O'Neill in his efforts to push Villa up the table. The club has already broken its transfer record this season with the signing of Ashley Young from Watford.

A new look

Details of the new kits have not yet been revealed, but Villa fans will expect the traditional claret and blue to remain at the heart of the design. Supporters have strong feelings about the club's colours, and any major change would be controversial.

The club's kit has changed many times over the years, with manufacturers including Umbro, Le Coq Sportif, Hummel and Diadora. Some designs have become classics, including the shirts worn when Villa won the European Cup in 1982, while others are remembered less fondly.

The kits are expected to be unveiled in the summer, ahead of the new season. The club's shirt sponsor, the online gaming firm 32Red, remains in place for now.

Commercial growth

The deal comes as clubs across the Premiership look to increase their commercial income. Television money is rising sharply, with a new broadcasting deal worth billions of pounds starting next season, but clubs are also looking to sponsorship and merchandising to close the gap on the biggest teams.

Villa have lagged behind many of their rivals in commercial income in recent years. Lerner has brought in new executives to change that, and the Nike deal is one of the first results of their work.

For fans, the most important thing is what happens on the pitch. But many see the Nike deal as evidence that the club is being run with fresh ambition, and that Villa are serious about competing with the best.

With the new kits due in the summer, supporters will be hoping that the team wearing them can carry the club back towards the top of English football.