JD Sports has acquired sports apparel company Canterbury Europe for £6.5 million.

The purchase of Canterbury is for the European arm of the New Zealand founded operation. The deal also includes the global rights to the brand.

Not known for specialising in football, JD Sports will now need to consider whether to attempt to play a bigger role in the industry. One of the first decisions will be whether to continue to make the shirts for Portsmouth football club.

The new Portsmouth Away Kit, made by Canterbury.

Canterbury also manufactured under garments used in football, like the one Sol Campbell endorsed.

They are also renowned for head gear in Rugby and Petr Cech famously used the Canterbury branded headgear after suffering a head collision way back in 2006.

Canterbury were also considering entering the football boot market. Just last year Footy Boots were made aware of a new Canterbury range of football boots being considered for launch.

Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of JD Sports:

We are delighted with the acquisition of the Canterbury and Kooga brands, which will further diversify the group’s overall interests in the sports and related leisurewear markets.

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