By David Gold
October 29 – PUMA has signed a deal to become the official kit provider to Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund from 2012, it has been announced.
The deal is reportedly worth in the region of €50 million (£44 million/$71 million).
The German sports brand will provide kits to all senior and youth teams for several seasons, beginning with the 2012/13 campaign.
In addition, PUMA will launch a line of fan wear and merchandise as well as kits, and as part of the contract SportLifestyle will be providing football boots to any players without existing footwear deals.
PUMA chief executive Franz Koch (pictured right) said: “We are really excited about this new addition to our football portfolio.
“Borussia Dortmund perfectly embodies the mix of sport and lifestyle, an ethos we share at PUMA.
“The brand values emphasised by both companies of joy, enthusiasm and passion make this partnership a perfect match.
“Our association with Borussia Dortmund will allow us to further expand our position as the clear number three football brand.”
Borussia Dortmund President Hans-Joachim Watzke (pictured left) added: “Borussia Dortmund is thrilled to enter this new partnership with PUMA.
“From our very early conversations with PUMA it was abundantly clear that they wished to make Borussia Dortmund fans integral to the brand’s football campaigns in Germany, to value them as we do.
“This marketing focus was a key reason for us signing a partnership with PUMA, and we are excited about the prospect of implementing these plans for the 2012/13 season and beyond.”
PUMA already have partnerships with VFB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, and a number of other European sides such as Girondins de Bordeaux, Tottenham Hotspur and SS Lazio.
They also have deals in place with a number of international teams including Italy, Ivory Coast and Copa America champions Uruguay.
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