Uhlsport Becomes New 1. FC Köln Kit Supplier
Update #2: Köln officially announced that Uhlsport will become the kit supplier of the club from the 2018-19 season. The deal with uhlsport is a four-year deal and will run until 2022.
Köln Sign Four-Year Uhlsport Kit Deal
The Uhlsport Köln kit deal is reported to be worth around 3.5 million Euro / season
“1. FC Köln is not an off-the-rack club, so we also do not want off-the-rack club kits. In uhlsport we found a partner for the next four years that meets all of our requirements of quality, trust, and individuality,” said FC Managing Director Alexander Wehrle. “The representatives of uhlsport proved during the negotiations that they are fully committed to working with FC starting in 2018. We are excited about the prospect of working with a traditional German company.”
Melanie Steinhilber, Managing Director of uhlsport states: “In 1. FC Köln we were able to win a successful and well-known first division club as a partner. We particularly want to focus on the West-German market to increase our presence and brand awareness through this wonderful partnership with this first-division club. Specifically, we want to work closely together with 1. FC Köln on finding solutions and to support the club in projects such as the development of club kits. We are excited to work with the FC team.”
Update: After German newspaper Express three months ago reported that Erima will not continue as kit maker of Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln, the newspaper now received new information that Uhlsport will become the club's new jersey maker from the 2018-19 for four years. The Uhlsport Köln kit deal would be worth around 3.5 million Euro / season.
Uhlsport to Sign Four Year Köln Jersey Maker Deal to Become Club's Kit Maker from 2018-19
It is likely that the 2017-18 kits of German Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln will be the last made by Erima as the German sports manufacturer is unwilling to bid as much as much as the club requests.
Erima became Köln's kit supplier in 2011. Since then, the German club almost doubled their merchandise sales.
Kappa to Become New Köln Kit Maker?
Erima has been Cologne's kit supplier since 2011.
According to reports from German newspaper Express, 1. FC Köln requests up to 3 million Euro / season for a possible kit deal. The newspaper also reports that Kappa is the brand which will most likely become 1. FC Köln's new kit supplier. Other possible manufacturers are Umbro and Jako.
However, even though it seems unlikely that Erima is ready to bid as much, the small German manufacturer can math any offer in order to keep Köln's kit maker.
Would you like to see Kappa making 1. FC Köln's kits from the 2018-19 season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
