Manchester City launched their new home shirt in America last night, marking the first kit of their new partnership with global sportswear giants Nike.
The new shirt – in City’s traditional sky blue with a white round-neck collar and navy trim – will be worn for the first time when the Blues face Chelsea in two matches in the States.
And Tom Glick, City’s chief commercial & operating officer, hopes the partnership with Nike will help the club to continue their global expansion.
“We’re delighted to join forces with Nike,” he told the club’s website.
“Having them as our new technical kit partner demonstrates City’s growing appeal, and we look forward to working alongside Nike to build and engage our fan base around the world.
“Nike’s extensive distribution networks will ensure the club’s presence in markets stretching from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas and that our fans everywhere can find and wear a City shirt.”
After its launch late last night, the new home shirt – which also sees the club’s eagle crest restored to its full colour having been black last season – received a largely positive response.
Club legend Franny Lee wrote on Twitter: “In my opinion it’s nice to see Nike carry on the simplicity that Umbro introduced.”
And Danny Jackson, a presenter at City Square who has commentated for Sky Sports’ Fanzone wrote: “Quality work on the kit! Looks great and not OTT…look forward to getting my hands on one!!!”
City face Chelsea in St Louis on May 23 before travelling to face the Europa League winners again at the Yankees Stadium two days later.
Meanwhile, the Blues new venture, New York City Football Club, have announced former midfielder Claudio Reyna as the new director of football.
Reyna played for City between 2003 and 2007, but is well-known in North American football, with international 111 caps and finishd his career with the club who will now be his cross-city rivals – New York Red Bulls – and is delighted to part of the new project with the New York Yankees.
“Having had the privilege of playing both for my country here in the US and for Manchester City, I could not have hoped for a more tailored-made opportunity in soccer,” said Reyna.
“I am incredibly excited to again wear City’s ‘Sky Blue’ as part of the expansion of the MLS and the growth of soccer in the United States, and am honoured to have been offered this opportunity.
“With a large fan base through the New York area, prime television rights and distribution, sponsorship commitments, and the Yankees as a US partner, the New York City Football Club has everything in place to succeed.”
Picture courtesy of MCFC, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
