May 24 – New Balance has taken over as official kit supplier for Spain’s Athletic Club (also known as Athletic Bilbao). New Balance will supply the squad with kit, training wear and equipment from the 2017/18 season in a six-year deal, taking over from Nike.
Josu Urrutia, Athletic Bilbao President, said: “We are delighted to embrace and share this new era for the Club, in which we face the tough task of defending our philosophy and moving forward based on our own approach to football. We feel that New Balance will become part of the history of our club, and are looking forward to working together on the challenges that await us in the future.”
The club – along with Real Madrid and Barcelona – is one of only three clubs to have never been relegated from La Liga.
They have won league titles, 24 Copa del Rey finals and two Supercopa de España trophies. This season Athletic Bilbao finished seventh in the league, one point behind Basque rivals Real Sociedad.
Athletic Bilbao holds the record for the biggest win in La Liga (12–1 vs Barcelona, in 1931), as well as the records for the biggest win away to Real Madrid (0–6), and Barcelona (0–6).
Richard Wright, General Manager of New Balance Football, said: “We are delighted that Athletic Club has joined New Balance Football, we are looking forward to working closely with a great club with such fantastic traditions. As well as celebrating the club’s heritage, we will bring innovation and world class product to the club and its fan base.”
New Balance has been gently growing its portfolio of football clubs which includes Liverpool, Celtic, FC Porto, Sevilla, LOSC Lille, and national football teams, Costa Rica and Panama.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713955099labto1713955099ofdlr1713955099owedi1713955099sni@n1713955099osloh1713955099cin.l1713955099uap1713955099