Theo Walcott says goodbye to Nike and joins Adidas

Walcott joins Adidas

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott joins Adidas in a marketing coup, that will see the England International to front its latest global brand push.

Theo is to become the on of the main faces of Adidas along with the likes of Barcelona FC's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. He also joins fellow Arsenal teamates Mesut Ozil and Per Mertasacker.

The Arsenal winger goes straight into Adidas' latest irreverent #ThereWillBeHaters global campaign. It launched last month and represented something of a creative shift from the brand's recent campaigns with the concept more self aware than usual. It features stars including Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema sending up their lavish lifestyles as a way to rebuff the hater that have criticised them and the brand recently.

Walcott's arrival represents something of a coup for the business as it's most high profile English player Steven Gerrard prepares to depart for the US next season. Given Theo Walcott's status for both club and country, Adidas could see him as a likely successor to lead its activity in England.

He will first endorse the brand today sporting the latest adiZero F50 boots for the first time against Crystal Palace.

Theo's departure from Nike to Adidas ends a 12-year-deal that first began when he was 14. He appeared in many major campaigns  for the American sportswear maker including "Make the Difference" and promotions for England team, which Nike sponsors.

The deal, terms of which are undisclosed, is a long term deal with Adidas.