Jump directly to the content

FOOTBALL clubs change their kits every season and once you've got used to the current kit it's time for the new one.

Well, that time is now - as details are slowly emerging of what kit the biggest players at the biggest clubs will be starring in next year.

 A leaked Arsenal kit for next season - teams will be going for a more retro look with their kits next year
20
A leaked Arsenal kit for next season - teams will be going for a more retro look with their kits next year

In case you hadn't noticed, football kits are massive business.

Global sportswear firms pay hundreds of millions, even billions - if Real Madrid's rumoured extension with Adidas goes through - to have their logo featured on the world's biggest strips.

With kits changing every season, however, the design teams of some companies have been running thin on ideas.

But that will now start the next great trend for football kits: going old school.

 A leaked Barcelona home kit for the next season reveals a radical chequered square design - a bit like Croatia
20
A leaked Barcelona home kit for the next season reveals a radical chequered square design - a bit like CroatiaCredit: Twitter

co-founder Doug Bierton, 33, believes designers are going retro with their designs because they realise football fans today are nostalgic for looks of the past.

Bierton, whose website has almost every shirt you could think of, told SunSport: "Adidas are looking back to the classics from the 80s.

"They've been with Manchester United since 2015, and each time they've brought out a new kit that's been a nod to that era.

"The patterns have been very prominent, influenced by shirts from the 80s and early 90s - which, for me, was the pinnacle of football shirt design.

Classic Football Shirts
20
Classic Football Shirts, co-founded by Doug Bierton, has the biggest collection of football shirts in the worldCredit: Matthew Pover/Matthew Pover Limited - Our lawyers are watching. Absolutely no syndication

"Most football fans will agree that was when the best football shirts were produced.

"They've got to obviously be a modern, athletic fit but I think sports companies are aware now that design is key.

"The fans are looking for something that is significant and means something. It can't just be a simple, template kit that's got no references in it.

"They got to bring something through that shows an appreciation for the past, while looking forward to the modern technology of the day."

Bierton says that shirts transcend football and are now a fashionable business, which is why Adidas and Nike are revisiting the past.

"It can't just be suitable for the players, for the season ticket holder, the aim is to be something broader that inspires more people to go out and buy it," he said.

500,000+ retro football shirts to David Beckham's underpants

"The fashion of the day is 80s and 90s inspired - graphic designs are big at the moment and that's what people are wearing.

"If companies release shirts like that they know they're going to be big sellers."

Bierton also believes that kids today have greater access to seeing past kits - thanks to the likes of YouTube. That plays a big part in designer's thoughts when designing a top.

"The history of the game is more prominent now for kids," he said. "With things like YouTube it's much easier to connect with what was going in the past.

"You were previously dependent on Match of the Day to show you what someone like Maradona or Platini was wearing back in the day.

 One leaked Chelsea shirt shows a classic V-neck collar with white and red trim
20
One leaked Chelsea shirt shows a classic V-neck collar with white and red trimCredit: Twitter

"Now, you can jump on to YouTube and sit for hours watching Cantona or Ian Wright, so there's that familiarity with the past.

"I think that plays a role in it. It's not such a big shock to the kids and they're not surprised by the references to older shirts in new ones."

We've scoured the deepest, darkest corners of the web and sites such as to find all the latest news, leaks and images for kits that are expected to appear next season.

Only a few of Europe's biggest clubs have had kits leaked, with no news coming out of the majority of Premier League clubs.

 Juventus fans will be split if the club decide to ditch their famous stripes in favour of a half-and-half look
20
Juventus fans will be split if the club decide to ditch their famous stripes in favour of a half-and-half lookCredit: Twitter/Llamagliabianconera

Arsenal

The Gunners have a new main sponsor from next season with Adidas returning for the first time since 1994, replacing Puma from July 2019.

The sportswear giant replaced their German rivals in a massive deal that's the joint-second richest in the Premier League - a massive £300million over five seasons.

 A leaked Arsenal home kit shows the red and white kit with graphic detailing and blue trim
20
A leaked Arsenal home kit shows the red and white kit with graphic detailing and blue trim

Home: The leak shows that although the kit is the traditional red and white, it features very dark patterns and leans heavily on an early 1990s influence.

There is a dark graphic on the main body as well as blue trim on the three stripes and the sleeves. The v-shaped collar is also straight out of the early 1990s.

Away: The latest leak shows the yellow away shirt also being inspired by the early 90s and one of Arsenal fans' most loved kits, the 'brusied banana'.

That kit features dark blue graphics across the shirt. The below image is not so bold as that brilliant kit, but is still a stand out design. An 'icons' jersey - casual, not match attire - will also be released by Adidas.

Bierton added: "The bruised banana is the archetypal classic, no matter what team you support.
"And I do think they'll be referencing that with their new away kit, which I'm excited to see"

Third: It is reported the third kit will be navy, although no further details are known. In previous years the Gunners have had navy kits with and without a lighter turquoise contrast.

 Adidas, who will pay Arsenal £300m over five years from the summer, will also reveal a throwback fashion top
20
Adidas, who will pay Arsenal £300m over five years from the summer, will also reveal a throwback fashion topCredit: Instagram @footyheadline

Chelsea

Chelsea will continue with Nike and Yokohoma Tyres for 2019-20.

Although Chelsea have had traditionally blue and white kits, the presence of the Japanese company will mean they will likely have red on the kit once more - red is an important and lucky colour in Far Eastern culture.

Home: There are strong reports that the kit will feature a subtle Stamford Bridge graphic on the front, a bit like the Manchester United kit from 1994-96. The navy blue kit will have white and red trim, with the shorts blue and the socks white. Another leak shows the kit without a graphic, but lots of red and white trim and a V-neck.

Away: Believed to be white with blue trim. One leak shows a graphic that looks a bit like body armour weaving around the chest.

Third: Said to be a black shirt with orange detailing and socks. Nike are set to make all their third kits have heavy inspiration from retro and iconic kits from the 1990s. An NFL-style collar is also said to be part of the design.

 One report says Chelsea's home kit will have a subtle imprint of Stamford Bridge - like Man Utd's kit of the mid-90s
20
One report says Chelsea's home kit will have a subtle imprint of Stamford Bridge - like Man Utd's kit of the mid-90s
 A white away kit has been mooted, featuring a graphic on the chest that looks like body armour
20
A white away kit has been mooted, featuring a graphic on the chest that looks like body armour

Man City

The Premier League champions will ditch Nike for Puma, after the German company more than doubled their money from £20m to £50m annually.

The home kit is even said to be complete already, but there has been no further information on what it may look like apart from the traditional sky blue.

There are also a lack of details on the away kits, but City could continue their tradition for eye-catching (and sometimes misguided) third kits.

The bold choice next season is believed to be a bright orange and peach combo.

Man Utd

The club own the richest kit deal in the Premier League, earning £75million annually from Adidas, only Barcelona's £100m-per-year Nike deal beats them.

Unfortunately there are no details so far for the home kit - Adidas will release an icons jersey that was wrongly believed to be the new home kit.

The item is more a fashion piece than designed for players to wear on the pitch.

Away: Expected to be a very lightly tinted beige with black and red trim. The look could be similar to this season's pale pink kit in its shade.

Third: Little has been revealed about this kit except that it is going to be predominantly black grey and red trim.

 This shirt was wrongly attributed as next season's home kit - it's actually a leisure item from the Icons range
20
This shirt was wrongly attributed as next season's home kit - it's actually a leisure item from the Icons rangeCredit: Instagram @footyheadlines

Tottenham

Spurs continue with Nike and will have their new kit for their new stadium.

Home: Spurs keep the traditional white and navy but the big change this year is there will be black detailing as well.

It's not yet been revealed how that might look or where it will go on the kit.

Away: The second kit will be navy with purple accents and a bit of white trim although, again, not much more is known.

Third: Like Chelsea and other Nike third kits, Spurs will have the retro Nike logo, while the kit is said to be a bright blue/turquoise.

 Tottenham's third kit is expected to be this turquoise colour
20
Tottenham's third kit is expected to be this turquoise colour

Barcelona

The La Liga giants will make big changes this year - although not quite as big as they hoped.

President Josep Bartomeu wanted to modernise the club badge but the rest of the board was not so happy.

Home: Going for a chequered design - think Croatia - with a bright trim that is less gold and more yellow.

The new look badge would have slightly different colours, would remove the letters 'FCB' and would get rid of black borders.

However, the new look wasn't well received by the board so it might stay the same at least this season.

Bierton says: "I'm really looking forward to seeing this Barcelona shirt, because it's rumoured to be this checker board design - something completely new for them.
"It makes you think of Croatia and the great kids they wore, worn by (Davor) Suker or (Zvonimir) Boban.
"Now, to see Messi wearing a jersey like that, I think will be fascinating."

Away: Bright yellow with a red and blue sash across the front, inspired by the famous kit of the 1970s, worn by Johan Cruyff.

Third: Like other Nike third kits will draw heavily on the past with a retro logo and full collar. The colouring will be the teal, blue and red like the kits worn by Stoichkov and Ronaldo.

 An image stating the proposed changes to the design of the Barcelona club crest
20
An image stating the proposed changes to the design of the Barcelona club crestCredit: Barcelona
 Barcelona's away kit for next season is yellow with a blue and red sash, an inspiration from a famous kit of the 1970s
20
Barcelona's away kit for next season is yellow with a blue and red sash, an inspiration from a famous kit of the 1970sCredit: Twitter

Real Madrid

Los Blancos and the German giant are closing in on a record-breaking kit deal that would become the richest in sports.

It's not quite over the line yet but Real, who have worn Adidas since 1998, are set to sign a 10-year, £1BILLION agreement.

Home: Adidas will bring back one of Real Madrid fans' favourite colour combos - white with gold trim.

A similar colourway was worn in the 2011-12 season, the year they won the title under Jose Mourinho.

Away: A navy blue away kit with white trim and logos, although little else is known.

Third: The club are apparently going for an outrageous colour combo of mint green and navy with white trim. Other details are yet to be released.

 Real Madrid's home shirt next season is expected to be white with gold trim, like this loved kit from 2011-12
20
Real Madrid's home shirt next season is expected to be white with gold trim, like this loved kit from 2011-12Credit: Getty - Contributor
 The tone of this ball is the same mint green that Real Madrid will use for their third kit
20
The tone of this ball is the same mint green that Real Madrid will use for their third kit

AC Milan

The famous old club are in the second year of their deal with Puma and the German brand have decided to keep the traditional stripes with some smart, but subtle, changes.

Home: The vertical stripes are a lot thinner than this season, while the striped look has been extended onto the sleeves - this year the sleeves were a mostly black block.

There is no information on the away or third strips.

Inter Milan

The Italian giants, like rivals Juventus, are set to make a massive shift in the traditional vertical stripe design of their kits...

Home: It is rumoured that Inter will go for diagonal stripes next season.

There are conflicting reports about whether that will be across the whole shirt or just in the centre of the kit, where the Pirelli logo sits.

Away: Bold teal colour with black and gold logos and trim - no info yet on the actual design.

Third: In line with Nike's third kit retro trend, will draw heavily on the much-loved kit of the late 1990s, when Inter won the Uefa club during Ronaldo's first season. Mainly black with dark blue and gold trim.

 Inter's third kit is expected to lean heavily on this classic from the late 90s
20
Inter's third kit is expected to lean heavily on this classic from the late 90sCredit: Reuters

Juventus

Italy's most loved (and hated) team will move further away from tradition this year, with another bold shift.

Two years after ditching their logo for an ultra-modern 'J', Juve are now set to ditch their stripes.

Home: Set for a radical change in the look of their kits,  losing the iconic stripes for a half and half look, a la Blackburn Rovers. It is expected to have gold trim

Away: Solid white home kit with red trim and shorts, a crew neck collar and some light grey trim.

Third: Also featuring a block of colour, this time it's navy blue with a very pale blue trim.

 Juventus' new away kit will be a white shirt with grey trim and bright red shorts
20
Juventus' new away kit will be a white shirt with grey trim and bright red shortsCredit: Twitter/Llamagliabianconera
 The third kit will be dark blue with a lighter shade on the trim
20
The third kit will be dark blue with a lighter shade on the trimCredit: Twitter/Llamagliabianconera

Roma

Unlike their rivals, Roma appear to be staying in touch with tradition.

Home: The colours remain the same with the main feature set to be a gold zig-zagging line running down the middle of the shirt

Away: Not much has been revealed, except that it will be predominantly white.

Third: Will feature a retro look, with the main colour a dark blue.


COMIC STRIPS Do you recognise these Premier League THIRD kits? Test your knowledge of some of football’s craziest colours


Bayern Munich

There has so far been no news on the new kit home or away kits for the German giants.

The third kit is reported to be navy and grey with a very bright red trim.

 Borussia Dortmund's new shirt has not been leaked but the socks will feature yellow and black hoops
20
Borussia Dortmund's new shirt has not been leaked but the socks will feature yellow and black hoops

Borussia Dortmund

BVB will keep their traditional black and yellow in the same shades as they have this season.

Home: No details on the shirt, but the socks return to the traditional hoops.

Away: The black kit will have a v-neck collar and raglan sleeves. The big change this season is that the away kit could be black with silver rather than black and yellow which has been the norm in recent years.

 Paris United have created a PSG concept kit from their sources (the main sponsor is still to be determined)
20
Paris United have created a PSG concept kit from their sources (the main sponsor is still to be determined)

Paris Saint-Germain

When Jordan brand took their first steps into football with PSG they were expected to do a line of off-field and leisurewear.

But this season the American firm, a sub-division of Nike, designed PSG's Champions League kit and next season they will go a step further.

Home: Paris United, reliable place for PSG inside information, have released a concept based on their sources. The kit features a similar vertical line down the middle, but next year there will be a big chunk of white added to the red. The sponsor is not yet known.

Away: Jordan brand will design this kit and the colour will lean heavily on basketball star Michael Jordan's glittering playing career. Named 'Infrared 23', the colour is basically the same red Jordan played in for the Chicago Bulls. No further design details are known.

Third: Retro like the other Nike kits, it is expected to be white. Will likely draw influence from two massively popular kits from the 1990s (pictured).

Topics