HIBS today unveiled their new home kit for season 2008/09, which the players will wear for the first time against Barcelona.
And marketing and communications director Ian Spence believes that the pre-season friendly with the Nou Camp stars can raise the club's profile to a global level.
Supporters will be able to see their favourites wearing the new strip for the first time during their pre-season campaign, which includes the eagerly-anticipated friendly against Barca in July.
A huge crowd is expected at Murrayfield and the match is being screened live on television and Spence said: "I am pleased that our pre-season campaign has come together to offer the Hibernian supporters some very exciting fixtures both home and away.
"We have an opportunity to promote the club to an international audience and I believe that our new home kit will be an attention grabber for all the right reasons."
The club also released their season tickets for public sale today and are hoping that they can match last year's record-breaking numbers.
Season ticket holders can purchase a special pre-season match package which gives them one free game and the club is offering supporters who buy the books a discount voucher offering up to £10 off the new 08/09 home kit. Prices range from £45 for Hibs Kids to £355 for Adults in the Famous Five stand.
With a potential East Stand development on the horizon, space may be at a premium next season and Spence added: "The home kit launch also falls on our season ticket general release date – to date season ticket sales have tracked well and are currently matching the record breaking numbers from this point last year."
The Hibs players will return to training at the end of this month in preparation for their InterToto Cup campaign and the glamour tie with Pep Guardiola's side and boss Mixu Paatelainen revealed that he and his players are pleased with the new strip and looking forward to the challenges ahead. He said: "I am delighted with the new home kit, the fabric and design are both fantastic."
Prices for the home strips, which are again sponsored by Whyte & Mackay, have been frozen at last year's level, starting at £24.99 for children and £34.99 for adults.
Supporters can pre-order the new kit from tomorrow, either from the club store or online at www.hibernianfc.co.uk, and those who do so will be the first to get their hands on the strip when they are delivered on July 15.
The full article contains 438 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
