FC Schalke 04 and Adidas will go separate ways after 55 years in Summer 2018. The club today officially announced a deal with the Double Diamond brand Umbro from the 2018-19 season, confirming the previous reports of German newspaper BILD.
Schalke's head of marketing, Alexander Jobst, discussed the reasoning behind the switch: "Our decision-making over the last few months has had a focus on three core strategic points: reputation, profitability and identity. Umbro were the clear leaders in all three regards, which has led us to decide against extending our partnership with adidas and instead make the move to Umbro."
"We would like to express our sincere thanks to adidas for decades of successful co-operation. We are looking forward to beginning our work with Umbro, a traditional company that takes things in new directions and fits us perfectly. Together we share the aim of further strengthening the S04 brand both domestically and internationally."
Schalke 04 Announce Umbro Kit Deal
According to BILD's sources, Umbro will pay the German club 6 million Euro per season. The new Umbro Schalke deal would be valid for three years with an option to extend the contract until 2022.
The newspaper also reports that Adidas, who currently have a six-year contract worth 5.5 million Euro per season with the club, only wanted to extend until 2020 for 3.5 million Euro plus success bonuses per year.
Michael Scholz, spokesman for Umbro, said: "FC Schalke 04 and Umbro both carry a great deal of tradition. Schalke has a long history. We therefore share common goals and values. We are delighted and honoured to be part of the next major chapter in Schalke's history."
Schalke's previous negotiations with Under Armour probably ended with the fact that the Baltimore-based brand could only begin from 2019 onwards.
The Double Diamond brand Umbro also makes the kits for Everton, Eindhoven and German second division club Nuremberg.
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