Aston Villa announce Kappa deal as Italian sportswear giants become new kit partner

ASTON VILLA have announced that Italian sportswear giant Kappa are their new kit partners until 2022.

The Championship play-off-finalists announced earlier this month that current kit-makers Luke 1977 – owned by Claret and Blues fan Luke Roper – were to become 'formal wear partners'.

It marked the end of a single-season deal following two years with Under Armour and four years with Macron.

The club announced the deal with a a wall of street graffiti featuring Villa boss Dean Smith and local lads Jack Grealish and Andre Green.

And as part of Kappa's partnership they will launch the ‘Kappa in the Community’.

Part of that is expected to include a revamp of the the basketball pitch on Witton Lane Gardens, right next to Villa's Trinity Road stand.

Villa hope they will be wearing the new kit in the Premier League next season – with Derby standing in their way on Monday May 27 at Wembley.

Aston Villa chief commercial officer Nicola Ibbetson said: “I am delighted that Aston Villa have partnered with such a recognisable and iconic brand who have a long-standing reputation for delivering quality, eye-catching performance sportswear.

“At the forefront of our decision was the key requirement to find a partner that would put design at the heart of the process and do justice to our famous claret and blue colours.

“In addition to collaborating with some of the leading experts in the field of technical sports kit and fashion, we are currently working with Kappa and Fanatics to ensure that all Aston Villa supporters are catered for with a wide range of replica kit and merchandise.”