Dybala, Iniesta, Luis Suarez, David Silva & Many More - 20 Important Player Brand Changes in 2018

With the year coming to an end, we take a look back at all what happened in terms of football boots and kits in the past twelve months. Something that is often forgotten is the market of players and their equipment (boot) sponsor - we take a look at the most important brand transfers of 2018. Big thanks to Footpack for many of the information and the idea for the article.

Puma was the brand that managed to sign by far the most high profile players this year, including Luis Suarez and David Silva. Adidas also secured some important players, while Nike did not sign any famous renowned players recently.

Luis Suarez - Adidas -> Puma

One of the biggest transfer in terms of boot brands was Luis Suarez's switch from Adidas to Puma.

Axel Witsel - Adidas -> Puma

Axel Witsel joined Borussia Dortmund this summer. Soon after his transfer, he was signed by BVB's sponsor Puma, just as various other players of the German club. He previously wore the Adidas X 18.1 boot.

Steven Nzonzi - Nike -> Puma?

Steven Nzonzi has been wearing boots from three different brands this year - Nike, Adidas and Puma. He first seemed to be joining Adidas from Nike, but in the last matches he was spotted with Puma One soccer cleats, amking a switch to the Big Cat brand most likely.

Vincent Kompany - Adidas-> Puma

Vincent Kompany is Puma's most recent signing - The Belgian defender, who had been wearing the Adidas Ace 16 for quite some time after leaving New Balance a dispute, joined his teammate David Silva, who also switched to Puma this year. Kompany's club Manchester City will almost certain also wear Puma from Summer 2019, leaving their kit supplier Nike.

Paulo Dybala - No Contract -> Adidas

The most important movement of the year for Adidas - Paulo Dybala is now one of Adidas' main global athletes and the ambassador of the Adidas Glitch 19. He had been wearing blackout boots from various different brands before (Nike Mercurial Superfly 5, Puma One 17.1, X17+ PureSpeed). He wore the Adidas Glitch boot in the 2018 World Cup.

Dejan Lovren - Nike -> Puma

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren joined Puma from Nike. He is now wearing the Puma One football boot.

Mamadou Sakho - Nike -> Puma

Liverpool player and France international Mamadou Sakho has been also signed by Puma. He first wore Nike Phantom Vision in early September, then switched to the Adidas Predator 18+ before opting for the Puma's Future 2.1 Netfit football boot.

Fernando Torres - Adidas -> Mizuno

2010 World Cup winner Fernando Torres joined Japanese brand Mizuno in September 2018. He previously was sponsored by Adidas.

Alassane Pléa - Nike -> Adidas

Former Nice player Alassane Pléa joined German side Borussia Monchengladbach in Summer and signed with Adidas in September.

David Silva Adidas -> Puma

Manchester City star David Silva joined Puma from Adidas.

Christopher Nkunku - Nike -> Adidas

Young PSG player became an official Adidas ambassador in November 2018. He previously had been wearing Nike boots for a few years.

Paulinho - Nike -> ???

Paulinho made some headlines playing for FC Barcelona for half of a season. He has been wearing blackout cleats for almost a year now, a clear indicator that he is without a boot contract currently.

Aaron Ramsey - New Balance -> Adidas

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey left New Balance for Adidas. He laced up in the Nike Hypervenom football boots in various matches some months ago, but now he is wearing the Adidas Predator 19 and an ambassador of the Three Stripes.

Pepe Reina - Adidas -> Puma

Pepe Reina joined Puma from Adidas. The deal was made official shortly ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Sadio Mane - Nike -> New Balance

Sadio Mané joined New Balance, the manufacturer of his club Liverpool. He is now the main ambassador of New Balance and its Furon silo and already received a special signature edition of the Furon. He previously wore the Nike Mercurial Vapor 12.

Adrien Rabot -> ???

PSG's Rabiot has been spotted with both Adidas and Nike boots this year, and he has been also switching between different boots of both brands constantly. This pretty much confirms that he is without a boot contract.

Romelu Lukaku - Nike -> Puma

Lukaku was yet another high-profile who joined Puma this year. The deal with the Belgian and Manchester United striker was just made official shortly ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Andrès Iniesta - Nike -> Asics

One of the biggest boot transfers of the year, Andrès Iniesta joined the supplier of his new Japanese club, Vissel Kobe.

Hulk - Mizuno -> Concave

Brazilian forward Hulk joined Australian brand Concave from Mizuno in what was the biggest deal for Concave yet.

Rafinha (FC Barcelona) -> Adidas XXX

FC Barcelona's Rafinha was not happy with Adidas' boots and therefore wore blackout Mizunos. However, a court has ordered Rafinha to again wear Adidas boots or face a fine of up to €1 million because he broke the contract with the German 3 Stripes brand.

Are you surprised that Puma signed as many players? Do you think this trend will continue in 2019? Let us know in the commnents below.