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Chelsea, adidas to end partnership 6 years early

May 11, 2016
Chelsea's Eden Hazard, left, vies for the ball with Tottenham's Kyle Walker during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Monday, May 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, left, vies for the ball with Tottenham’s Kyle Walker during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Monday, May 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea and sportswear giant adidas will terminate their longstanding partnership at the end of the 2016-17 season, six years earlier than originally planned.

Both parties made the announcement on Wednesday, saying it was a mutual agreement. adidas has been a sponsor and sportswear supplier of Chelsea since 2006.

The German company said in a statement that it will receive compensation from Chelsea to end the deal early, allowing the Premier League club to “enter a new equipment agreement with a competitor.”

Chelsea's Eden Hazard, centre, competes for the ball with Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, left, and Kyle Walker, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Monday, May 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, centre, competes for the ball with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, left, and Kyle Walker, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Monday, May 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)