New balls please! Winter is coming, so time for the Premier League hi-vis



With the clocks going back this weekend and a definite chill in the air, winter is fast approaching and that means the return of ultra-bright yellow footballs to the Premier League.

This year's ball is the Nike Maxim Hi-Vis and will be seen on all pitches in the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga from this weekend until March.

Nike say the Maxim, with its bright yellow contrasting with segments of purple, cyan and magenta in a distinctive design, will be more visible than ever.



Bright: The Nike Maxim Hi-Vis will be used in all Premier League matches from this weekend until March

Resistance: Heavy rain this winter will be no problem for the Maxim

It's all to do with the 'flicker effect' which allows players to pick out the edges of the pattern against the yellow base colours - thus judging its flight better.

Nike boffins have spent hours in the lab perfecting this Rapid Direction and Response (RaDaR) technology to ensure players have every chance of spotting the ball.



Continental: The ball will be used in the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga this winter

Pattern: The purple, cyan and magenta design will help players pick the ball out better

Practice: Liverpool took delivery of a set of the new balls at their training ground this week

The winter Maxim has the same technical spec as the standard one, which apparently has a 'superior touch and a consistent feel in all weather conditions.'

Handy for those Arctic nights in Wigan this winter then.