Saints have today launched their seven year partnership with US sportswear giant Under Armour with a promise to invest in female sports and the local community as well as kit out the first team.

Chairman Ralph Krueger and Under Armour representative Peter Murray hosted the press at St Mary’s this morning to unveil the partnership, which was revealed by the Daily Echo in January.

A giant banner was unveiled in the centre of the St Mary’s pitch, in which the club and Under Armour laid out six pledges for their time together.

They were:

• Relentlessly innovate and create revolutionary product enabling our first team to perform at the highest level

• Continue to develop the next generation of academy talent and empower them with over 5,000 pairs of cutting-edge footwear over the next seven years

• Work with the Saints Foundation and kit out more than 5,000 children in the local community

• Develop the women’s and girl’s game through our shared expertise and knowledge

• Realise our global ambitions by spreading the benefits of sport and healthy living through technology and activations

• Together we commit to having fans and innovation at the heart of everything we do

Krueger said: “I consider today as a historic leap for us as a club.

“The seven year partnership with Under Armour takes us into a completely new place as a club.”

Amongst the pledges which Krueger and Murray later expanded upon, was a commitment for Saints to start a female academy type system, focussing on ten-to-16-year-olds, combined eventually with a women’s first team.

Saints have applied for a license from the FA, and are waiting to hear which level they can enter at.

Also, Under Armour have promised kit and support for the local community, in combination with the Saints Foundation, as well as kitting out the academy through to the first team.

The first kits they will make for Saints will be unveiled in the summer ahead of next season, though Under Armour have refused to comment on the design and whether they will feature the famous red and white stripes.