Burnley terminate deal and announce new one in kit chaos days before season opener

Burnley were given an unwanted headache on the eve of the new Championship season.

The Clarets' new front-of-shirt sponsor, Finotive One, will no longer adorn their kit.

Instead, they will be sponsored by Vertu, with the announcement made days before their Championship season opener against West Ham on Sunday, which is live on talkSPORT 2.

Burnley issue statement on Finotive One

"Burnley Football Club is disappointed to confirm that its agreement with Finotive has been terminated," a Burnley club statement read.

"We have acted decisively to protect the Club’s interests, and those of our supporters, while ensuring preparations for the new season continue uninterrupted, both on and off the pitch."

The club has confirmed fans who already purchased a new kit with Finotive One's branding can either claim a full refund, exchange their shirt for a replacement featuring Vertu branding or have Vertu branding applied to their existing kit free of charge.

Burnley initially announced the partnership with Finotive One in early July, with the Cypriot-registered company to feature on their playing and training kits.

The arrangement was in place for the entirety of the 2026/27 season and the Clarets had even played a competitive match in a kit which featured Finotive One's branding.

However, that partnership was plunged into uncertainty when Sky Sports wiped the sponsor from the Clarets' kit in graphics promoting the club's Championship season opener.

Adding to the chaos was that Burnley appeared to have taken down the article on the club website where they announced Finotive One as the new sponsor.

Vertu officially takes over as Burnley's new front-of-shirt sponsor

Finotive One was also listed among Burnley's partner and sponsor section on the website until 9am on Friday, when they were officially replaced by Vertu.

“We are delighted to welcome Vertu as Burnley Football Club’s new Official Front of Shirt Principal Partner," Burnley chairman Alan Pace said.

"Vertu has been a valued and trusted partner of the Club, and this new relationship is a natural next step for two organisations that share a commitment to ambition, innovation and long-term success.

“From our very first conversations, it was clear there was a shared vision for what this new partnership could achieve, and we look forward to working even more closely together and creating exciting new opportunities for our supporters throughout the season.”

Finotive One, a Cypriot-registered company, replaced betting firm 96.com as Burnley's front-of-shirt sponsor due to the ban on gambling sponsors coming into effect.

In a statement announcing the partnership, Burnley described Finotive One as a 'global trading ecosystem' which supported 'tens of thousands of traders worldwide through its integrated platforms spanning funding, trading infrastructure, payments, and market access.'

Burnley will look to shake off the sponsorship drama on Sunday against the Hammers as both sides look to secure an instant return to the Premier League.

The Clarets finished 19th with 22 points while West Ham were relegated on the final day last term.

In a bid to immediately bounce back, Burnley appointed Nicky Hayen as their new manager.

Hayen was handed the reins after ex-Wolves boss Rob Edwards rejected an approach.

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