Sky blue thinking: Manchester City officially launch £72m Nike deal with new kit

Manchester City have officially launched their new £72million kit deal with American sportswear giant Nike and revealed next season's home kit in New York.

City announced last year they would switch brand from Umbro, previously owned by Nike, after agreeing a deal worth £12m per year over six years.

The agreement underlines City's determination to grow their commercial income in the upcoming era of financial fair play.

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New look: Manchester City launched this kit in New York on Tuesday afternoon

New look: Manchester City launched this kit in New York on Tuesday afternoon

Trim: The sky-blue jersey is complete with a navy and white lining

Trim: The sky-blue jersey is complete with a navy and white lining

 

City launched their first Nike kit at a media event in New York, where the team are currently based on their post-season tour.

Stars Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Jack Rodwell, Carlos Tevez, James Milner and Matija Nastasic, revealed the strip, which is the traditional sky blue with white and navy trim.

The deposed Premier League champions said of their new home kit: 'The kit pays homage to City’s heritage while reflecting the future. The shirt is a classic football design, and unmistakably City, featuring a sky blue body with a white ribbed crew neck and cuffs. 

'The collar and cuffs also feature a dark blue trim to represent the colour of the socks City wore as a part of one of their first ever kits in 1892. Weighing only 150 grams, and made from recycled polyester, it is the lightest shirt Nike has ever produced.'

The club crest has been embroidered inside the shield shape to pay tribute to the Manchester coat of arms and inside the neck, the words 'Pride in Battle' are stitched, the translation of the club motto Superbia in Proelio.

Goalkeeper Hart also had his new green kit to show off in the New York sunshine. The City crest is on top of a green shield with white stripes on the shoulders.

City will wear the new kit for the first time when they take on Chelsea at the Busch Stadium in St Louis on Thursday and Yankee Stadium in New York on Saturday.

Nike, who also unveiled the new England kit on Monday, added: 'The kit showcases Nike’s inherent belief in style, craft and strong aesthetics, while aiding the performance of players with key technological features.'

Tom Glick, City's chief commercial and operating officer, said: "We are delighted to join forces with Nike.

Eye on the ball: James Milner shows off City's new strip in New York

Eye on the ball: James Milner shows off City's new strip in New York

Eye on the ball: James Milner shows off City's new strip in New York

Getting involved: Gael Clichy tries the sky-blue strip out for size

Getting involved: Gael Clichy tries the sky-blue strip out for size

'Having them as our new technical kit partner demonstrates City's growing global appeal, and we look forward to working alongside Nike to build and engage our fanbase around the world.

'Nike's extensive distribution networks will ensure the club's presence in markets stretching from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas and that our fans everywhere can find a City shirt.'

As well as playing matches against Chelsea, City are also undertaking a number of commercial and community activities in New York to bolster awareness of their brand.

The club have also announced they have acquired the rights to Major League Soccer's 20th expansion franchise from 2015 in a partnership with the New York Yankees.

Glimpse: Joe Hart
Joe Hart

Glimpse: England No 1 Joe Hart wore City's new goalkeeping kit

Samir Nasri
James Milner

Pitching in: Samir Nasri and Milner (right) have a kickabout in the 2013-14 strip

Watch and learn, Gael: Milner shows his prowess as Clichy watches

Watch and learn, Gael: Milner shows his prowess as Clichy watches

Role reversal: Clichy grabs the camera during the photoshoot
Role reversal: Clichy grabs the camera during the photoshoot

Role reversal: Clichy grabs the camera during the photoshoot

Thumbs up: Kolo Toure and some other City players visited the New York Fire Department

Thumbs up: Kolo Toure and some other City players visited the New York Fire Department

Trying on the headgear: Maicon, Richard Wright, Emyr Huws, Dedryck Boyata, Micah Richards, Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, Albert Rusnak , Karim Rekik and Kolo Toure visit FDNY

Trying on the headgear: Maicon, Richard Wright, Emyr Huws, Dedryck Boyata, Micah Richards, Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, Albert Rusnak , Karim Rekik and Kolo Toure visit FDNY


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