The FA today confirmed that it has signed up fashion designer Giorgio Armani to

The FA today confirmed that it has signed up fashion designer Giorgio Armani to design the official off-field wardrobe for the England Football team for the next three years.

The announcement comes on the day when Giorgio Armani joins the England Football squad at its team headquarters to unveil the first collection of oufits the designer has created. The Squad will wear the formal suit from this collection when it departs from Luton airport this evening on its way to Durban for the historic friendly fixture against South Africa on Thursday.

Commenting on the new signing, Sven-Goran Eriksson, the England Team Head Coach, said: "Giorgio Armani is renowned as a leader in the world of fashion and I am delighted that we will be wearing his designs".

Giorgio Armani said: "I am delighted and honoured to be working with the England team as they are representatives of one of the world's great footballing nations. It is also exciting to be designing for such a young and enthusiastic squad. Footballers today are the modern day gladiators - they have become icons both on and off the field."

Paul Barber, The FA's Director of Marketing and Communications commented: "We are very pleased to have secured a relationship with such a famous brand as Giorgio Armani. I am sure the players will enjoy wearing the suits and accessories designed by Mr Armani. The collection he has created fits the squads requirements perfectly."

Giorgio Armani is the designer who pioneered the marriage of fashion and football. He has dressed the Italian national team, Newcastle United and Piacenza, his home town team. He currently dresses Chelsea (a club he describes as "a little piece of Italy in South West London"), and has recently opened a store in Kiev in the Ukraine in partnership with AC Milan's Andreij Shevchenko.

In 1995 Armani brought on David James, then of Liverpool, as a catwalk and advertising face. Since then he has dressed the likes of Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Luis Figo and Inter Milan's Christian Vieri and Fabio Cannavaro.

For the England team's first wardrobe, Giorgio Armani has designed looks for both formal and casual occasions:

The formal Giorgio Armani look - a classic navy blue cotton/linen summer suit with two-button fastening and low-waisted flat-front trousers, paired with a pearl grey button-down cotton shirt and dark blue-grey iridescent silk tie. This combination comes with a navy knee-length light wool coat with asymmetrical five-button fastening.

The casual Giorgio Armani look - a navy cashmere cardigan-jacket with navy light crepe wool flat-front trousers, again low waisted. This is matched with a light blue cotton button down shirt and a fitted double-breasted eight-button belted overcoat in light cotton.

The outfits are accessorised with Emporio Armani sunglasses and watches, belts, shoes, underwear and luggage including a suitbag with wash bag and a trolley suitcase.