After inking Puma deal, Virat Kohli receives a heart-warming message from Usain Bolt

Virat Kohli became the first Indian sportsman to ink a Rs 110 crore endorsement deal with sports apparel brand Puma and joined the ranks of Usian Bolt, Theirry Henry, Oliver Giroud, Asafa Powell amongst others as a global ambassador for the brand.

The Jamaican sprint king, who has a huge fan base all over the world, reserved a very special message for the poster boy of Indian cricket. "Great choice @imVkohli Time to go to the next level #ForeverFaster”

Kohli was very pleased to be associated with the global brand and was quoted as saying by The Times of India, “It’s a privilege to be part of a great list of athletes that Puma has. Not just today’s icons like Usain Bolt, but also the brand’s rich history with Pele, Maradona, Thierry Henry and others. Both Puma and I are committed to a long-term partnership. I am impressed by the way Puma has gained popularity and market leadership in India in a short period of time."

Kohli's endorsement deal with the German company involves a fixed payment and royalty depending on the brand's business performance. Bulk of the endorsement deal, estimated between Rs 12 and Rs 14 crore annually, has been signed on a fixed payout.

While other legends like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar have been a part of the Rs 100 crore club, they have received this amount through multi-year contracts with various brands. However, the 28-year old captain has been the first to put his hand on such a big amount through a single brand.