Relief for Alisha Lehmann! Aston Villa end 'wet-look' Castore shirt partnership as Premier League side agree major new adidas deal

After complaints from both their men's and women's teams, Aston Villa are all set to end their association with kit manufacturing company Castore and will bring in adidas - one of the biggest sportswear companies in the world - as their new kit sponsor, according to The Telegraph. The men's, women's and their academy sides will don adidas-manufactured kits from the 2024/25 season.

Earlier this season, the men's team were the first to raise concerns about the 'wet-look' shirts created by Castore. They complained about the shirt's tendency to become soaking quickly and cling to their bodies throughout the game. The women's team soon echoed the men's players' complaints and claimed that the shirts were "really bad". The Villans reacted promptly and assured their players that they were internally discussing the issue and planning to end their deal with Castore prematurely.

The deal with adidas is being personally overseen by the club’s billionaire Egyptian owner Nassef Sawiris who also owns a seven per cent stake in the German brand. Currently, adidas sponsors four Premier League clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

Both the Aston Villa men's and women's teams are set to play their first competitive game of 2024 against Everton. While Unai Emery's side play in the Premier League on Sunday, Carla Ward's team will take the field in the FA Women's Cup fourth round on Saturday.