SAINTS’ American profile is set to grow still further with US sportswear giant Under Armour becoming their new kit manufacturer from next season onwards.

The club’s current deal with Adidas expires this summer, and the Daily Echo understands it will not be renewed with Under Armour taking over the design and production duties in a big money coup at St Mary’s.

It is a significant move for both parties.

Under Armour get to plant another foot in the UK market, having recently signed tennis star Andy Murray on to their books.

For Saints, it aligns them with a prestigious and growing brand, who have ambitious expansion plans.

Under Armour boast a very high profile in the United States, and the deal with Saints is also expected to net them a healthy sum.

Only one other Premier League football club has kits made by Under Armour, and that is Tottenham, whose five year contract, signed in 2011, was reported to be worth £50m to the White Hart Lane club.

It is little wonder that Under Armour might wish to be associated with Saints given the hard work the club have put into their profile on the other side of the Atlantic.

Canadian chairman Ralph Krueger knows the market well, and has used his contacts and influence to push the Saints brand and message in the States, with the image of the plucky underdog resonating well.

The club have secured good media coverage in America, and are also rolling out an initiative to provide training for football coaches, which could lead to 100,000 children experiencing their coaching methods.

A delegation from the club went to the USA to promote the initiative earlier this month, speaking to interested parties and the media at a football convention in Baltimore – the home of Under Armour.

The sportswear company was only founded in 1996, but now has 11,000 employees across the world, an annual revenue of almost $4bn, and is the second biggest selling sports brand in the USA after Nike.

It’s founder, Kevin Plank, who started by making sports clothing in his grandmother’s basement, is now worth around $2.9bn.

The new kits will be unveiled this summer with Under Armour also designing a full new range of training wear and other products for the club.

Saints declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Echo.