ASTON VILLA have agreed a lucrative new kit deal with Adidas and will sever their ties with Castore at the end of this season.
Egyptian Nassef Sawiris – one of Villa’s two billionaire owners – owns around seven per cent of the German sportswear giants.
Aston Villa have cancelled their contract with Castore over the wet look shirt controversyRex
Castore brought out new kits for the men and women’s teams in DecemberRex
Now he has decided, along with co-owner Wes Edens and the club’s president of business operations, Chris Heck, to terminate the controversial Castore deal and enter into a new partnership with Adidas.
It will be the first time Villa have been supplied by Adidas – Europe’s biggest sporting giants – who already supply kit for Manchester United, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Villa’s decision to ditch Castore follows the farcical events of earlier this season when players complained that they retained sweat, which made them cling to their skin and gave them a ‘wet-look’ appearance.
The problem was even more embarrassing for Villa’s women’s team and left the club and its suppliers open to ridicule on social media.
Castore responded to the controversy in September by stating they intended to “address this issue as quickly as possible to meet the standards we expect”.
Weeks later, at the beginning of December, Villa finally received new shirts from Castore.
Castore feel the problem was sparked by an imbalance related to the BK8 sponsorship logo emblazoned across the shirts, but still accepted full responsibility.
Villa’s move mirrors Newcastle United’s recent decision to ditch British based company Castore in favour of Adidas next season too.
Castore produce kits for one other Premier League club – Wolves.
While the kit manufacturer is set to begin a new deal with Everton from next summer.