PHOTOS: Manchester City officially unveils new badge

Manchester City unveiled its new badge Saturday ahead of its match against Sunderland.

After consulting fans over a 30-day period, a new design - which will be launched during the 2016-17 season - to replace the existing crest was chosen, and officially unveiled to supporters at City Square before the Boxing Day fixture.

The new crest was revealed to fans at the Etihad Stadium when massive flags were unfurled around the ground.

"This club knows how important its heritage is to its fans and it has ensured that those fans being consulted were fully aware of the history behind its previous symbols and I was privileged to play a part in that process with my lectures," Manchester football historian Gary James said on the team's website.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart, the longest serving City player, says the team's history of reinventing itself is one of the primary reasons he loves representing the club.

"I am really looking forward to wearing it," he said. "It’s something new. This is what I love about this club and the journey I have been on since I’ve been here. There have always been new and exciting things and every one of them positive. It’s no different with this badge. I think it’s great."