[caption id="attachment_2060" align="alignleft" width="419" caption="© Trevor Martin Photography"][/caption]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC stars Richie Foran and new signing Gil Blumanshtein took to the water today (Thursday) as the team's new strip for their return to the SPL was launched.

The launch took place at a North Sea oil rig to mark their new shirt sponsorship by international energy recruitment specialists Orion Group, whose headquarters are in Inverness. The shirt, with Orion branding, will make its competitive home SPL debut against Celtic at Inverness on August 14 and will be available to buy in the club shop from *9am Friday morning (23^rd July)

Foran said:" We're all impressed by the new strip and we're very pleased that Orion, a locally based firm with an international presence,  are our main sponsor. There's great excitement in the dressing room as we prepare for life in the SPL, along with a determination to make our mark."

The players travelled by boat from Invergordon to the oil rig in the Cromarty Firth for the unique photoshoot. Alan Savage, chairman of Orion Group which has 29 offices across the world and a former chairman of the football club, said:" The rig setting reflects our major energy and engineering dimension and we felt it was an appropriate link with which to kick off our new relationship with the club which we hope can bring fresh success to Caley Thistle.

"Terry Butcher and his team have become so important to the city and the wider Highlands and bringing top-flight football back to the area is something we're extremely happy to support and be associated with on an ongoing basis."

Club chairman George Fraser said:" The new strip follows our signing a two year main sponsor deal with Orion Group worth a six figure sum which has been of significant value in our planning and budgeting for the SPL. We look forward to continuity in our association with Alan Savage and his firm at this vital stage for the club."

Manager Terry Butcher said:" The new strip, which has arrived from Italy,  is impressive and we hope the fans snap them up in large numbers. We're working very hard in our preparation for the new campaign and the Orion Group connection has been a real boost to the players."

The sponsorship deal is part of Orion's Community Vision programme which sees the company support a number of charities and organisations within the Highlands, including Highland Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Orion Group recently finished 42nd in the Sunday Times list of the UK’s fastest growing companies internationally.

* The new adult home top will be on sale from 9am tomorrow (Friday 23^rd July) with children’s home tops available to buy from the end of week commencing 26^th July.