Chelsea will end its long association with kit supplier Adidas six years early next season, which will allow the club to agree a deal with a rival sponsor, it has been announced today.
Both the club and Adidas confirmed on Wednesday that Chelsea's deal with the sports brand, who have sponsored the Blues for 10 years, will finish on 30 June 2017 by mutual consent - six years ahead of the original planned end date in 2023.
A statement on Adidas' website revealed that Chelsea will pay them compensation, which will pave the way for last season's Premier League champions to sign a new contract with a rival sportswear supplier, while also allowing Adidas to sponsor fewer teams.
It read: "Chelsea Football Club and adidas AG announced today that they have mutually agreed to terminate their existing partnership agreement prematurely.
"The agreement will now end on June 30, 2017 and not, as originally agreed, on June 30, 2023. adidas has been sponsor and sportswear supplier for Chelsea Football Club since 2006.
"This mutual agreement on early termination of the agreement will allow Chelsea Football Club to enter a new equipment agreement with a competitor of adidas AG.
"adidas AG wishes to expressly thank Chelsea Football Club for their always professional and successful collaboration, which has included, among other successes, the time of their UEFA Champions League title in 2012 as well as two Premier League titles."
A statement on Chelsea's website on Thursday thanked Adidas for having provided "fantastic support and cooperation over the past 10 years", during which time the Blues have won the Champions League, Europa League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups trophies.
Chelsea unveiled their Adidas kit for the 2016/17 season last week.
