The Catalan giants, Barcelona jersey for 2017-18 have been leaked, according to Spanish outlet Sport, which obtained an image of the new style and sponsors on all three outfits.
The traditional blue and red vertical stripes have reportedly been altered to change size across the kit whilst maintaining a symmetrical pattern. With fans so used to seeing the iconic design, it may take time to become accustomed to the change of ways.
An away strip of solid red is greatly contrasted by the electric blue third-choice colour, which was last used by Barca in the 2015-16 season.
A change in sponsorship also comes in the form of Rakuten, a Japanese electronic commerce company that’s currently valued at USD $17 billion, replacing Barca’s previous deal with Qatar Airways.
Barcelona’s new deal is believed to be one of the biggest football kit deals done to date and the hefty worth of is estimated at around £47 million a year.
A four-year contract was signed by both parties that has the potential to make Barcelona the world’s richest club, overtaking arch rivals Real Madrid in the process.
“This agreement puts us at the forefront of sports club sponsorship, which has always been an objective for the current board of directors,” Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu told the press.