BURY-based JD Sports Fashion plc has bought the global brand of world-famous heritage rugby shirts company, Canterbury of New Zealand, for £6.5 million.

The acquisition safeguards the future of the Canterbury business in Australia and New Zealand and also ensures the continued presence of the Canterbury name in the UK and across Europe.

JD will license the Australasia and New Zealand brand while operating the brand itself in the UK and across Europe.

Additionally, the administrators of Stockport-based Canterbury Europe Ltd have sold the trade and assets of the European trading to JD for an undisclosed sum. This will help preserve 50 jobs.

The £6.5 million deal means that JD now owns two important rugby brand businesses following the acquisition of Kooga Rugby Limited last month.

Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of JD, said: “We are delighted with the acquisition of the Canterbury brand which will further diversify the group’s overall interests in the sports and related leisurewear markets.”

JD Sports Fashion opened its first store in Bury in 1981 and operates 430 shops nationwide. The company has a workforce of around 150 staff at its local headquarters at Hollins Brook Way, Pilsworth.