Nike announce AS Monaco kit deal, raise bar with first effort

Big-spending Ligue 1 side AS Monaco finished the 2013-14 season, their first after attaining promotion from Ligue 2, in second place. The Red and Whites were nine points from the title, but also nine points clear of third, securing a Champions League group stage spot for next season. They will kick off the campaign with a new kit from Nike, having worn Macron over the previous few seasons.

The new kit, bearing Monaco’s traditional red-and-white diagonal halves, features a red polo collar to add an extra touch of class. Nike’s first take mirrors Monaco’s 1960-61 kit (the first time the club wore the diagonal strip and the first time they won the championship), ditching the one red and one white sleeve motif that had been around in previous years and going for white on both sides.

The shirt also features a new crest that modernizes the shield that the club has always worn on their chests. The crest, officially unveiled last year, features a gold crown at the top with the club’s colors surrounded by a gold-and-white shield. Where the club’s initials, ASM, once stood, the crest now reads “AS Monaco FC.”

The shirt will be paired with white shorts and white socks. The socks feature a thick red band at the top and red chevrons running up the back of the leg.

Dermott Cleary, the VP/GM of Nike Football voiced his excitement when speaking about the new kit:

“AS Monaco are one of the most exciting football clubs in Europe and their ambition to become one of the world’s leading clubs is clear. We look forward to working with them as we continue to grow our position as the No. 1 brand in football.”

Vadim Vasilyev, vice president and CEO of AS Monaco, discussed his enthusiasm over the deal:

“As we look to the future, it is telling of our ambition to welcome Nike as our new partner. This partnership supports our global strategy as we look to grow AS Monaco as one of the world’s leading football clubs and we look forward to working closely with Nike.”