Sportswear giant Nike has renewed a kit sponsorship deal with the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).
The renewal will run for six years, from 2020-21 to 2025-26. The previous 16-year deal between Nike and Croatia was due to expire at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, which will conclude with the Uefa Euro 2020 tournament.
The federation said that the deal was signed on Tuesday in Belfast by its president, former national team star Davor Suker, and Mark de Klerk, Nike’s sports marketing director for Central and Eastern Europe. Croatia beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in a friendly at Windsor Park on the same day.
Talks over an early extension began in September when Suker visited Nike’s headquarters in Portland, US.
De Klerk said that Nike had extended a deal with a country that had become “a regular at major tournaments.”
Suker added: “I am proud that Nike, the world's leader, wanted to extend the HNS contract up to 2026. This acknowledges the reputation of HNS, of our national team, and of our players worldwide. Nike has previously been an excellent partner in developing football in Croatia, and has also contributed towards the recognition of the Croatia national team throughout the world.”