Kylian Mbappe has ended his long-term deal with Nike and signed for Swiss sportswear company On, one of the world’s most valuable startups, in what is a huge milestone for the company’s growing ambition in football.
The 27-year-old Real Madrid and France striker had been sponsored by Nike since childhood and was a prominent face in the company’s Mercurial boot range, but will now become an ambassador for On as it enters the global football market.
Founded in 2010 as a running shoe business, On has exploded in popularity, including already having tennis legend Roger Federer among its co-owners, and appointed former Arsenal, Barcelona and France striker Thierry Henry as its director of football earlier this year.
“From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game,” Mbappé said.
The company said the player would work closely with its product teams to create new football equipment and footwear.
Henry also expressed excitement for the project, which he said was to build products according to the needs of athletes. Mbappe’s move is another example of a growing trend in world football, with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal also recently leaving Nike to join Adidas.
