“The announcement of the long-term strategic partnership with the Italian Football Association underlines PUMA’s reinforced commitment to further strengthen its position as one of the leading football brands,” said Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman of PUMA AG, and continued: “The Italian National Team, more than any other national team property in world football, perfectly embodies PUMA’s unique sportlifestyle positioning and we are delighted about the extension of this already successful collaboration.”

This announcement coincides with the introduction of the new 2006 Italy National Team away kit designed by PUMA in collaboration with Neil Barrett. The away kit will make its debut in a friendly against Holland in Amsterdam on November 12th and will also be worn by Gli Azzurri in a friendly game against fellow PUMA team Ivory Coast on November 16th in Geneva.

Italy, whose honors include three FIFA World Cup titles (1934, 1938 & 1982), a UEFA European Championship title (1968) and one Olympic Gold medal (1936), has qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany securing first place ahead of Group 5 qualification contenders Norway, Scotland, Slovenia, Belarus and Moldova.