SUNDERLAND have revealed a lucrative new partnership with England kit manufacturers Umbro and chairman Niall Quinn indicated the signing of a five-year deal shows the progress being made on Wearside.

The seven-figure contract, the exact details of which have not been revealed, will increase considerably if the Black Cats secure a Premiership place.

Teaming up with Umbro is a throwback to the club's halcyon days when Sunderland wore the double diamond in the 1973 FA Cup final win over Leeds.

Although appreciating the proud history, Quinn is looking to the present and believes attracting Umbro highlights how Sunderland's profile has risen in the short time since Roy Keane took charge in August.

"It's heartening to know that Umbro believe in us and want to be part of the journey," said Quinn. "We have been saying it could take five years and it's great to know that a top international brand like Umbro want to be part of those five years.

"For someone like me, who has the responsibility of guiding this club, I feel proud. It's vindication we are heading in the right direction and it's vindication we're doing things correctly. We will not be patting ourselves on the back, though, because we know we have to deliver.

"We want to take this club to the elevated position it deserves. I know how big this club can be and, rather than go out for lunch after getting this deal, I'm going to go out to work now and try to get the next thing. I want to keep building and keep this journey going."

The addition of Sunderland to Umbro's impressive portfolio is also seen as a major investment on the manufacturer's part.

And Umbro's director of football, Simon Marsh, said: "We have been looking at our geographical representation and to sign a team like Sunderland in the North-East is fantastic for ourselves."

Sunderland's existing shirt deal with Lonsdale will end in May.