The Top 10 Cool Kit Releases From Around the World Ahead of the 2020/21 Season - Ranked

Aside from the hope of a new signing, every football fan awaits the beginning of the new season for one main reason - the kit.

While there is always the risk of manufacturers messing it up and potentially cursing a whole season, when it goes well, boy does it go well.

With a number of club sides around the world releasing their brand new strips for the upcoming season - as well as the unending leaked jerseys - it seemed like a novel idea to have a look at some of the best kits that have emerged recently.

So here are some of the best kits the wider world has to offer - outside of Europe's top sides...

10. Cliftonville - Puma (Away)

Belfast giants Cliftonville have produced a corker of an away kit, with this yellow and green number a vibrant alternative to their red home strip.

This clean design is a result of manufacturers Puma, who often produce the goods, despite not getting recognition like their competitors Nike and adidas.

9 - AZ Alkmaar - Nike (Away & Third Kit)

Two for the price of one here as Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and Nike have collaborated to produce a couple of funky looking jerseys.

While they may not be too everyone's taste - particularly with those loud yellow sleeves - they do look smart with the inclusion of a collar.

8. FC Krasnodar - Puma (Home)

While it may appear simple, this leaked Krasnodar jersey is effective, particularly with the textured patterns on the background of the shirt.

As you can most likely tell from their badge, the green and white colours are the traditional design of the club. You can have a look at it here.

7. IK Sirius - Select (Home)

This blue and black number looks very smart, and is perhaps one of the less wacky kits on this list.

The lesser known manufacturers Select have pulled off a stroke of genius here, as the Inter-style kit will be worn by Swedish side IK Sirius as they fight to remain in the Allsvenskan.

6. El Paso Locomotive - BLK (Special Edition)

It's certainly a bold choice, but you can't fault the effort of this design.

This special edition kit has been released by second-tier US based side El Paso Locomotive in order to celebrate Noche De Locos - 'night of the crazy' - and is inspired by the fusion of Texan and Mexican culture.

5. Club America - Nike (Away)

Mexican side Club America have gone all out if this leaked kit is to be accurate, throwing in every colour they can think of to this jazzy design.

You don't get kits like this in the Premier League, sadly.

4. Santos - Umbro (Home & Away)

If only Newcastle's kit could look that good!

These two stripped back designs may not be the most glamorous, but they are certainly very, very slick.

The club have not ventured too far out of their comfort zone with the traditional white home shirt and black and white away strip, yet full credit to Umbro for pulling it off.

3. FC Utrecht - Nike (Limited Edition)

While it is not, strictly speaking, a kit for the upcoming season, this recently released kit by FC Utrecht is a thing of sheer class and beauty - with 50% of profits raised going to charity.

Without the need for thrills and spills, the club - and Nike - have kept it simple to great effect. Much like Dutch football you could say.

2. Sao Paulo - adidas (Home)

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, that is Alexandre Pato.

The one-time Brazilian wonderkid can be seen above modelling a very smart Sao Paulo kit that features the club's traditional colours - as represented by the badge.

Again, it is not a kit that tries too hard to impress, yet its brilliance is in its simplicity. Or something like that.

1. Portland Thorns - Nike (Home)

The top spot on this list belongs to NWSL side Portland Thorns, who have teamed up with the GOAT of all kit designers Nike to produce a naughty little number.

The silky black kit features a number of rose images, while the red badge and sponsor provides a neat contrast.