Yaya Touré Becomes New Face of Puma

German sportswear company, doctor | Puma, sale pills have continued to acquire player partnerships by announcing today it has signed a long-term partnership with Côte d’Ivoire and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré.

Having recently announced a string of high profile player partnerships including Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero, doctor Falcao and Cesc Fàbregas, Puma have added Touré to the ranks. He will join the global sportslifestyle brand’s line-up of global assets, becoming a key performance icon in Puma’s African football communication.

This new partnership is different to most others. PUMA’s commitment to the partnership is to provide Yaya Touré with large product allocations each year, all of which will be distributed to under-privileged children in West Africa. The Ivory Coast international has a strong personal interest in projects that give children the opportunity and encouragement to play football in his homeland that will now benefit from multiple donations of Puma football apparel, boots and equipment.

The first major installment of product will be ahead of the 2012 Orange African Cup of Nations in January, to further inspire children to get involved with the sport. Combining Yaya’s passion for the child welfare and the development of football in Africa with PUMA’s historical connection and support for the continent, is the perfect basis for this new partnership.

Speaking about the new partnership Yaya said; “I am very excited about this new partnership with PUMA and the work we will be able to do together to give children in Africa the chance to play football. I have chosen to partner with PUMA because of the strong ties the brand has in Africa, they are the best company to help me provide these projects with football equipment. In under-privileged areas of Africa, football is a way for children to enjoy themselves and be healthy, for some it is also a way to a better life as it was for me. I am very happy to be working with PUMA on this.”

Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing at Puma commented; “African football continues to be a key focus of PUMA’s global sports marketing strategy, and signing Yaya Touré is another important step in developing our asset portfolio. Our commitment to Africa has always been based on both sport and supporting community projects through our PUMA Vision initiatives, this partnership is the perfect demonstration of that. Yaya is an extremely talented footballer, and we very much admire his focus and ongoing commitments to Africa. We are looking forward to working with him in the coming months and years.”

Yaya Touré will wear the PUMA v1.11 Speed boot on pitch, the lightest football boot Puma has ever made. It is the third generation boot that uses the special UNI technology, where the upper material is stitched rather than glued to the sole, providing the perfect fit by perfectly replicating the unique Puma Aptolast. In addition, the v1.11 enables greater playing stability, through an external heel counter and a Pebax frame that provides support to the outsole. This increased stability also enables an optimal traction as well as manoeuvrability, provided through the pointed stud configuration featured on this new boot. The Puma v1.11 also features a super soft premium lightweight microfiber upper material. A carbon fiber composite in the forefoot helps provide optimal pressure distribution, reactivity and flexibility.