Cardiff City FC will play in red shirts next season – despite apparently turning down the controversial plan last month.
The club has said the change – which also includes a new club badge – takes effect immediately after its board approved the move at a meeting. The club will play its away matches in the club’s traditional blue.
In addition to the new kit the club has also announced plans to build a new training ground either at its current base in the Vale or somewhere in Cardiff.
Principal investors Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Dato Chan Tien Ghee will also clear the club’s outstanding debt to Langston and make funds available to manager Malky Mackay to bolster his squad.
The Cardiff chief executive, Alan Whiteley, said: “This is a major and significant financial commitment and we are grateful to our investors for their continued confidence in this football club. Concerning the commitment to developing the crest and to switch our primary colour to red, as directors – and as fans in our own right – we recognise that there is a history and commitment that goes with supporting Cardiff City and we are conscious and proud of the loyalty, bond and passion so many share for this club.
“At the same time, we also have to be prepared to be realistic and progressive. Sometimes in difficult economic times and challenging market conditions, in order to attract investment to survive and progress, brave, bold and compelling decisions and sacrifices need to be taken and made. By securing this investment we can safeguard the immediate and long-term future of this club.
“The changes to the home kit and badge introduced as a consequence of the investment package are designed to help the club to develop its brand and to allow it to expand its appeal to as wide an audience as possible, with a view to delivering local success via an international and diverse market. As a board, we believe these changes, in the light of the benefits that will be demonstrably delivered, have been or will be accepted by the vast majority of supporters as judged in the light of the numerous emails and letters of support, backed by recent poll results from the Supporters Club and Media Wales.
“We are only too aware that the change of colour is a radical and some would say revolutionary move which will be met with unease and apprehension by a number of supporters, along with being seen as controversial by many. To those I would like to say that this was not a decision that has been taken lightly or without a great deal of thought and debate.
“There is no getting away from the fact that history and traditions are the lifeblood of any club and as such should be jealously guarded and preserved. Both the board and our investors fully understand and respect this and will do their utmost to uphold, protect and promote the values and virtues which the club stands for.
“However, the changes are believed to be vital to enable the club to progress to the next stage in its development and very much in the club’s best long term interests. Judged in the context of the overall commitment and financial support, we believe it is the right decision for this club and where it currently stands. “We hope that all supporters will appreciate these sentiments and will embrace the changes in that spirit and continue to support the club in the same loyal and passionate manner as before but hopefully with some greater feeling of security.”