Chinese Club Have Villarreal Watermarks All Over Their Kit
Sometimes in football, a club's new kit looks suspiciously similar to another team's shirt (past or present), but the latest example from Chinese third division side Guangxi Lanhang FC leaves no questions about where the original design came from. Thanks to @gentle_wong for the spot.
Chinese Club's Kits Features Villarreal Watermarks
There have been plenty examples over the years of smaller brands and teams releasing shirts with more than a passing resemblance to those of another club or manufacturer. Sometimes it can be put down to coincidence, relatively basic designs, or even outright copying. The pattern on the new home and away away shirts from Chinese League 2 side Guangxi Lanhang FC definitely falls into the latter category.
The tonal watermarked pattern of various symbols looks quite inconspicuous from a distance, but it is actually made up of various crests and symbols of Villarreal C.F. The name of the club's La Ceramica stadium, as well as various components of their badge and an old Joma bird logo are repeated across the torso of the jersey.
The kit itself is made by Joma, although the Chinese side more than likely have a deal with a teamwear supplier rather than the brand themselves. Joma have been Villarreal's technical sponsor since 2016, but the pattern does not seem to have been used on any of the Yellow Submarine's match kits in that time. However, it may have appeared on some training shirts.
The Villarreal club crest is based heavily on the city's coat of arms.
Has Guangxi Lanhang's supplier recycled some old, unused Villareal gear by slapping a new badge and sponsor on it? Was the kit hastily designed with a random pattern applied to it? Or was the designer a Villarreal fan? Let's hear your theories in the comments.
No More Mizuno: Reebok Hansa Rostock 26-27 Third Kit Released
German 3. Liga club FC Hansa Rostock and new technical sponsor Reebok have officially unveiled the team's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Completing the club's kit set alongside the previously launched home and away shirts, the release marks another custom design from Reebok in their debut campaign as Hansa's official supplier after taking over from Mizuno.
The Reebok Hansa Rostock 26-27 third shirt reinterprets a classic design from the club's archive, taking direct inspiration from the away jersey worn during the 1999-00 season. It features a sleek black base on the front and back, complemented by vibrant red sleeves that highlight Reebok's signature vector branding. A traditional polo collar tops off the vintage look, paying homage to an era defined by club figures like Timo Lange, Magnus Arvidsson, Victor Agali, and Steffen Baumgart.
Crafted from modern performance fabrics with a contemporary athletic fit, the jersey blends nostalgic late-90s styling with up-to-date sportswear technology. The new Hansa Rostock 26-27 third kit is available now via the club's official online store and physical retail locations.
Crawley Town 26-27 Away Kit Released
English club Crawley Town and technical partner Erreà have officially launched the new 26-27 away kit. Following the design direction established by this season's home uniform, the new alternative strip carries a sleek black and gold color scheme inspired by the club's fiery identity.
The Erreà Crawley Town 26-27 away jersey is predominantly black with a subtle tonal flame pattern running across the front and sleeves as a nod to the Red Devils nickname. All accents are styled in gold, including a recoloured black and gold crest, gold Erreà chest branding, and gold sponsor logos. The inside back collar incorporates 1896, marking the foundation year of the club.
Black shorts and matching black socks complete the new Crawley Town 26-27 away kit by Erreà, which is now available to purchase through the official club store.
