Just a couple of weeks after the net rippled for the final time in the 2016/17 season Nike are already looking ahead by half volleying the 2017/18 official Premier League match ball into our lives. Introducing the Nike Ordem V.
It's round. That's always a relief. You never know with innovation these days. The Nike Ordem V will sit proudly on the centre circle come August to mark the beginning of the 2017/18 Premier League season and Nike's 18th campaign as the official match ball supplier to England's top flight. A fresh design that still maintains the bright graphics of last season but with a touch more white.
That was the short version. Tech wise Nike are calling it their most extensively tested ball to date. The Ordem V has a unique construction that distributes pressure evenly across the ball to ensure an accurate strike whilst Aerotrac grooves in the surface help ensure a stable flight through the air. As for those graphics, they're printed onto the surface using 3D ink that creates a textured feel for enhanced grip. They also create a flicker as the ball rotates, helping players catch sight of the ball quicker. Keep an eye out for slightly different versions for Serie A and La Liga.
The Nike Ordem V ball will be available from June 5.