French football star Kylian Mbappé has signed a new sponsorship agreement with Swiss sportswear company On, ending a partnership with Nike that began when he was a teenager.
On announced Friday that the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward will serve as a global ambassador and work with the company’s product teams on the development of footwear and apparel.
The deal marks a major step into football for On, which built its reputation primarily through running shoes before expanding into training and tennis. The company said Mbappé will contribute his experience to the development and testing of future football products, including its Lightspray technology, which uses robotic manufacturing to produce footwear.
Financial terms and the length of the agreement were not disclosed, although On said the deal includes both cash and equity components.
Mbappé’s move comes as On seeks to establish a stronger position in a football market long dominated by Nike and Adidas, whose sponsorship portfolios include some of the world’s biggest clubs, national teams and players.
On was founded in Switzerland in 2010 and gained wider international recognition after tennis great Roger Federer became an investor in 2019. The company has since expanded beyond running into other sports and lifestyle categories.
The signing also comes as the global sportswear industry undergoes a shift in consumer preferences, with newer brands such as On competing for market share against established companies.
On has continued building its football division, appointing former France international Thierry Henry as its director of Football and expanding its relationship with Swiss footballer Sydney Schertenleib, who plays for FC Barcelona’s women’s team.
For On, Mbappé’s arrival represents an effort to connect its growing football business with one of the sport’s most prominent global stars.
For Mbappé, the partnership moves beyond traditional athlete endorsement, with the agreement giving him a role in the development of products that the company plans to introduce to the football market.
