Chelsea to terminate kit deal with Adidas next season, 6 years early
Chelsea must have really been disappointed with its new home kit.
The club announced Wednesday that it would be terminating its sponsorship agreement with kit manufacturer Adidas at the end of the 2016-17 season, six years before the partnership was set to expire.
Adidas: "Early termination of the agreement will allow Chelsea ... to enter a new equipment agreement with a competitor of adidas"
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 11, 2016
The news comes one week after the club's 2016-17 home shirt was revealed.
Related: Chelsea unveils 2016-17 home kit
Chelsea, who has been brandishing the iconic white stripes of the German manufacturing giant since 2006, signed a new 10-year contract with Adidas in 2013 - a deal reportedly worth £300 million.
"Having begun our relationship in 2006, we would like to thank adidas for their fantastic support and cooperation over the past 10 years. In that time the club has lifted the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and two League Cups, and we look forward to a successful final year of partnership," a statement from the west London side read.
Harris adds that the Blues will compensate their soon-to-be former sponsor in order to facilitate the early termination of the agreement.