The four year deal sees O'Neills take over as the club's official kit partner from the start of the 2011/12 season and will produce a bespoke range of training and playing kit for the Harlequins squad and supporters.

The partnership sees Harlequins join forces with a sports apparel partner who are stepping into the professional rugby union market for the first time. This key strategic partnership will provide O'Neills with a platform at the top tier of rugby union to raise its visibility and profile within the UK and international markets.

Commenting on the deal, Harlequins Interim Chief Executive David Morgan said: "The club went through a very competitive tender process for the new kit partnership with a number of high profile sportswear brands keen to associate themselves with our club and the famous quartered shirt. Following this process we are delighted to have reached an agreement with O'Neills that suits both parties in equal measure. Like Harlequins, O'Neills are an established yet ambitious brand and we are all greatly looking forward to working with people that share our vision whilst building on our existing relationship to ensure that the partnership is a successful one. They have a hugely successful track record in kit partnerships with sports clubs and I'm sure that players and supporters alike will be very happy with both the quality and style of the kit that they produce over the coming four seasons."

Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea said: "I know from the playing side of the club the guys are delighted with this deal having already been involved in choosing the kit for next season. O'Neill's have established themselves in sport in Ireland and are making major strides in the UK. I am sure we will have some exciting times over the period of this contract as our team continues to develop and grow just like O'Neill's will do."

O'Neill's UK Sales Manager, Susie Robertson added: "We are really excited about our forthcoming partnership with Harlequins - initial meetings regarding the 2011/12 kit requirements have been extremely successful and the Club has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside. O'Neills is an Irish company founded in 1918 with a wealth of experience in delivering a wide range of team and leisure wear - we design and manufacture our own products and are very proud of our quality and customer service, two aspects which we believe sealed our partnership with Harlequins for the coming seasons. We look forward to supporting the Club and their supporters wholeheartedly throughout the contractual term by providing innovative merchandise to a quality deserving of the Harlequins licensed logo."

For more information please contact Will Thomas at will.thomas@expsport.co.uk