MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed a five-year partnership with kit manufacturer Hummel in a throwback to the club’s rebirth in 1986.

Boro’s first new strip from the Danish company will be out in the summer ahead of the new season, with hopes still high that Premier League football will be back at the Riverside.

Hummel’s chevrons were worn by Middlesbrough players when Tony Mowbray captained the side on the up after emerging from a period of liquidation and to promotion in 1986/87.

Middlesbrough’s chief executive Neil Bausor said: “We’re delighted to join up with Hummel once again, as our official technical kit supplier. The name Hummel is synonymous with Middlesbrough Football Club as it being the kit worn during a very significant time in our history, and this is important to us.

“There were several options open to us, but we were keen to work with Hummel for a number of reasons. They have an understanding of our heritage and they have shown a real desire to work with the local community during the course of this partnership, and that fits in with the ethos we have as a club.

“They also have a flexible approach, and I think our fans will appreciate the look of next season’s bespoke kit design.”

Hummel supply Denmark, Freiburg, Strasbourg and Brondby and are looking forward to being reunited with Middlesbrough.

Allan vad Nielson, chief executive of Hummel International said: "We are delighted to have been selected as the club’s new technical sponsor. Boro are a club with whom we share a true football heritage and when the chance came to reconnect with them again, it was an opportunity we jumped at immediately.

“From our first meetings, it was clearly evident that the Spirit of 86 was very much still alive within the club and that as businesses we share so many common values. We believe that over the next few years, as we did back in 86/87, together we will achieve great things both on and off the field and we look forward to providing the players, staff and loyal fans of Boro with exceptional products that will proudly carry the Boro crest.”

Hummel will replace Adidas, who have supplied the club’s kit since 2009.

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