Newcastle United formally announce the deal that has Mike Ashley seething and fans crying with laughter

Newcastle United put out an official press release this morning announcing their new retail partnership which has been under intense scrutiny lately.

Usually, when Newcastle United make a new partnership agreement it's put under the microscope for ties with the Saudi PIF to make sure all is above board, but this latest deal came in for a different kind of scrutiny thanks to our previous owner.

On Tuesday morning the club confirmed a multi-year partnership agreement with JD Sports who will stock the upcoming Adidas range of kits and training wear as well as other ranges in their UK and European stores as well as online.

This means that you won't find the Adidas kits in your local Sports Direct, something which didn't go down well with our former Commander in Chief.

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Mike Ashley tried and failed twice to block this deal

Mike Ashley took the club to court over their proposed partnership with JD Sports citing it as anti-competitive, despite their being plenty of precedent of clubs and retailers forming exclusivity agreements in the past.

The case was initially thrown out of court, but Ashley then took it to appeal, where he was once again told he had no case.

Now with this announcement, you'd have to imagine that it is beyond the point of no return now and there's literally nothing Mike Ashley can do about it - not that there ever was, it seems.

Newcastle club shops, JD Sports and Adidas will be the three stockists of NUFC gear

Speaking about the agreement, Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone told the official site that Newcastle are assembling a 'world-class' retail lineup.

"We know that being able to wear kit, and other club-branded products, is so important to our supporters. It adds to that strong sense of connection that we want every fan to feel with the club.

"We are delighted to team up with JD to give supporters incredible access to Newcastle United's much awaited adidas replica kits and ranges.

"This is a hugely exciting time for the club as we reunite with adidas. We are assembling a world-class retail line-up by partnering with JD to complement our own in-house retail business and the offering in adidas' own stores.

"Our fans in the UK and across Europe will undoubtedly benefit from JD's extensive, and premium, high-street and online presence, where they will be able to buy the club's exciting adidas ranges alongside JD's broader premium sports apparel and footwear offering."