Leo Bertos signing a win for adidas

Media release Monday 23 August 2010

Leo Bertos signing a win for adidas

All Whites crack midfielder Leo Bertos has signed with a global name in football ¬ but rest assured he won¹t be lured away from the Wellington Phoenix and the All Whites any time soon. Bertos has joined some of the world¹s best athletes by signing a sponsorship contract with adidas, joining an elite team of international sportspeople aligned with adidas, including FIFA 2010 player of the year Lionel Messi from Argentina, England¹s David Beckham and New Zealanders Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw and Valarie Adams.

Bertos will be the New Zealand face of adidas¹ lightweight football boot, the F50 adizero.

³We¹re thrilled to have Leo on board,² said adidas New Zealand country manager David Huggett. ³As well as an outstanding football player, he¹s the perfect role model for New Zealand¹s budding soccer players. He¹s talented and dedicated and he played a crucial role in New Zealand¹s stunning performance in this year¹s FIFA 2010 World Cup.²

Bertos, 28, was born in Wellington and returned to his home town in 2008 to play for the Phoenix, after several seasons in Australia and the UK. He¹s known for his pace and his ability to create goalscoring opportunities. He has been a key All Whites player since debuting against Iran in 2003, and put on an impressive performance in all three New Zealand games in the World Cup in South Africa this year.

He is also credited with setting up the goal in the World Cup qualification match against Bahrain in November 2009 that secured New Zealand¹s spot in the tournament in South Africa.

³It¹s crucial that we as a country capitalise on the All Whites¹ stunning success at the World Cup, both at national and local level,² said David Huggett. ³This sponsorship is designed to give Leo some of the support he needs to continue to play at his best, and to encourage the many thousands of young Kiwis who look up to him.

³It¹s also a deal that fits neatly with adidas¹s brand values. Like us, Leo is committed to excellence, is always striving to innovate and improve and is passionate about his sport.

³We look forward to a successful relationship.²

ENDS

© Scoop Media