Everton's player of the year John Heitinga admits he can't wait to play in the Club's new Nike home kit.

The Dutch defender got a sneak preview at a recent photoshoot, and he told evertontv: "I am really familiar with Nike kits having played in them for Holland and my previous clubs – they are always slim fit and really nice jerseys.

"The blue kit is my favourite, it is beautiful kit. I have seen all three and they are all beautiful but the blue shirt is our home colours – the one we play in most often – and I always like to wear our own colours.

"I think the Everton fans will be really happy with it."

The kit exists as Nike's interpretation of Everton tradition, and Tony Hibbert is a fan of its simplicity.

He said: "They are really nice kits. The home is obviously in the blue and white and is plain but traditional. I like it."

Skipper Phil Neville added: "It makes you feel good when you look down and see that swoosh on your chest.

"Players are vain and when you look good and feel good then you play better. This kit looks fantastic and I can't wait to play in it next season."

One junior Evertonian had a birthday to remember after becoming the first to walk on to the hallowed Goodison turf wearing this season's Royal Blue jersey.

Lucky Daniel Marais donned the 2012/13 home kit for an exclusive photoshoot, days before it was officially revealed.

The eight-year-old was the winner of a unique competition to be the first to wear the Nike home strip in the dressing room and on the pitch at Goodison.

He took part in his very own photoshoot with the Club's official photographer and, with the special treat also falling on the youngster's eighth birthday – it really was a day to remember.

Daniel, who has his first Season Ticket for the coming term, struck lucky when his grandmother Patricia Shacklock was randomly selected as the winner of the unique competition from all those who had pre-ordered the 2012/13 away shirt.

Patricia, who also has a Season Ticket in the Family Enclosure, had ordered the striking black kit for the youngster's birthday.

She said: "He has not stopped talking about the photoshoot! He thoroughly enjoyed it and we had a lovely couple of hours at Goodison. He loves the new home kit and cannot wait to get his hands on it so that he can wear it on his holidays."

One lucky Evertonian will win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help kit out the Blues in their brand new Nike home kit for the much-anticipated opening day fixture at Goodison Park.

When the Blues stride out of the tunnel for the first game of the 2012/13 season against Manchester United, Everton kitman Jimmy Martin won't be the only one who will have prepared the new Royal Blue jerseys for the occasion.

An exclusive competition, launched today, is offering fans the opportunity to visit the Club's training ground to see exactly how the kit is prepared for a matchday.

Starting at Finch Farm, the winner will print a player's match shirt and hand it over to them ahead of the league opener.

On the day of the match, they will be invited to Goodison to watch the team in action from some of the best seats in the house and enjoy full hospitality in the 1878 Suite with a guest.

After the game, the specially prepared shirt will be returned to the lucky winner, signed by the first team player it was made for.

All you have to do to win this unique experience is pre-order the new 2012/13 home kit. All supporters who pre-order will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will be randomly selected.

Everton's first ever Nike home kit is available to order now on evertondirect.com. Supporters will be able to buy the kit in store at Everton One and Everton Two, and online from Thursday, 19 July.