9 Sep 2008Adidas announces partnership with Russian Football Union

Football Sponsors/ Sponsorship and Media

Sports manufacturer has entered into a long-term partnership which will see the national side wear Adidas kits for the first time on Wednesday (September 10th).

Adidas AG announced yesterday (September 8th) that it has joined forces with the Russian Football Union (RFU) in a deal that will last until 2018.

The link-up will see all RFU teams sporting kits and equipment manufactured by the world's second-biggest sports brand, including the national and Olympic teams.

The national team will wear Adidas for the first time on Wednesday (September 10th) in Moscow when they lock horns with Wales in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer said: "Adidas is the clear market leader in Russia. The new partnership constitutes a perfect alliance between the global number one football brand and a strong team with a huge potential."

The move comes after Adidas suggested in May that Russia and the other former Soviet Union countries could emerge as its biggest market in Europe as soon as 2010.

Furthermore, the company holds a market share in the country which is twice as large as anywhere else, while operating over 460 stores across the former Soviet states - a figure it hopes to increase to over 750 this year.

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