The long-term agreement, which Leeds claim is the most lucrative held by an English club outside the Premier League, runs from the start of the 2008-09 season and will see Macron provide strips and training kit for United's first team, reserves and academy players.

The Italian firm are already responsible for supplying Swansea City and a number of European clubs, and the deal will replace the current contract between Leeds and Admiral.

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Macron say their partnership with United will be the "flagship of our activity in Europe", and deal is seen by officials at Elland Road as another step towards establishing long-term stability at the League One club.

Chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Those that have followed Leeds United's most recent history know that it's always been hand-to-mouth and year-to-year.

"This is the first time we've been able to sit down and evaluate where we want to be over a period of time.

"In Macron, we believe we've found an ideal partner to work with through that four-year period. The one thing we'll all be very disappointed about is if in four years' time we're sat here as a League One club. The club wants to get back to the Premiership as quickly as possible.

"Macron might not a household name but they supply many clubs across Europe and the one area they identified where they wanted to work in was the United Kingdom. What better brand or club to work with than Leeds United?"

United revealed that the kit deal with Macron had been negotiated despite the interest of several other established brands, though the financial terms of the four-year agreement announced yesterday have not been confirmed.

But chairman Ken Bates said: "Let's put it this way – it's the biggest (deal) outside the Premiership and bigger than a few in the Premiership.
"When you think where we are just now, we're very happy and it shows Macron's belief in our future growth.

"This is a very important announcement as far as we're concerned, which will help Leeds back on to proper foundations."

Macron's chief executive officer Gianluca Pavanello said: "Macron are delighted to announce its new partnership with Leeds United, one of the greatest names in English football.

"Leeds will be our flagship, not only in the UK but in Europe, due to the history of this club.

"We'd like to establish a long-lasting partnership. We're going to work hard to giving a first-class service to the club and their fans."