William Ekong becomes latest footballer to join Common Goal charitable global project

SUPER Eagles stand-in skipper William Ekong has become the latest footballer to sign up to  Common Goal the movement powered by players and managers donating 1% of their salaries to good causes globally.

Ekong, 24, who captained Nigeria against Poland last Friday when the team won 1-0 away ion Wroclaw, currently plays for Bursaspor in the Turkish top flight. He has become the 43rd member of Common Goal, that is now targeting hitting the 100 player mark by the end of 2018.

So far, 40 players and managers have allocated over €400,000 to football for good organisations in six months since starting with a single player, Manchester United and Spain midfielder Juan Mata. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer, Common Goal is hoping to have expanded significantly.

Now a permanent feature in the Super Eagles, Ekong was a part of the Nigeria national team as they won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and was nominated for the 2017 African Player of the Year. In the 2018 World Cup qualification group stage, he played every match for the Super Eagles before crowning it by captaining the team in their 1-0 friendly victory against Poland on Friday.

Ekong said: “Winning the bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics and qualifying for the World Cup were both massive moments for me. However I’m hoping to outdo both of those this summer at the World Cup.

“I’m aware that I’m a role model for children and football fans and having travelled the world I’ve seen the impact that we have on people’s lives. It’s our responsibility, as players, to use that in a positive way.”

Born in the Netherlands in 1993 to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, Ekong has already played in England, Holland, Belgium, Norway and Turkey and considers his commitment to Common Goal as a decisive career moment. His commitment to Common Goal comes just as the movement prepares to invest funds generated by player pledges for the first time.

Next month will see €400,000 allocated to 27 projects tackling some of the toughest social issues, ranging from HIV/AIDS to gender inequality and youth unemployment. In the coming weeks, Common Goal is set to announce how fans and other stakeholders in the game, from around the world can participate in the biggest movement in football.

Jürgen Griesbeck, Common Goal founder, said: “We are delighted that William is joining Common Goal, not just because he is a fantastic player but because he is a fantastic person. William and all of our players recognise the importance of aligning with a shared vision and using their status as footballers, to make the world a better place.”