England To Ditch Umbro In Favour Of Nike (PICTURES)

UPDATE: The FA has confirmed that Nike is to create kits for every England team.

"England’s first kits to bear the Nike Swoosh will be launched in Spring next year, as The FA marks its 150th anniversary and the agreement runs until 31 July 2018," read an FA statement.

England are set to end their 30-year partnership with Umbro as the team's kit supplier is to be replaced by American sportswear giant Nike.

Umbro have kit supplied England, with the exception of an eight-year stretch between 1974 and 1982, since the 1950s and tailored every side at the 19966 World Cup finals, when Sir Alf Ramsey's Three Lions were triumphant.

However the Daily Mail report the Football Association are set to ink a lucrative deal with Nike, who own Umbro, eager to strike back in the aftermath of Team GB's success with adidas during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Nike will ostensibly launch a new England away strip as early as next spring, when the Three Lions' latest kit is usually revealed, despite Umbro's existing deal running until 2018.

Nike, who will kit supply Manchester City (currently kitted out by Umbro too) from next season, count Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus, Internazionale and Brazil amongst their most valuable footballing clients.

The downside amongst purists is that Umbro's kits in recent years have improved after a slump which led to United ditching them for Nike in 2002.

Nike's kits, on the other hand, have drawn criticism. Most recently at the weekend when Barcelona's new away kit was likened to a lollypop by certain supporters.

Lionel Messi in Barça's new away kit at Osasuna