English Premier League champions Chelsea and sportswear giants adidas have agreed what is understood to be the world’s second-biggest kit sponsorship deal in club football.

According to UK newspaper The Telegraph, the eight-year contract is worth £160 million, an £8-million-a-season increase on the previous four-year deal and just behind the £300 million Nike is thought to pay Manchester United under a 13-year agreement.

“Both organisations are highly ambitious and want to continue in partnership to develop globally and for us, grow in our key market territories across Asia and North America,” said Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay. “The increased value of the deal reaffirms adidas’ belief in the club’s growing status in world football.”

Chelsea and adidas plan to roll out their UK-based Blues Pitches grassroots programme internationally, after launching last year the Hong Kong branch of the project, which encourages kids to participate in sport.

by Bernardo Domingues of SportsBusiness.com