Every player to commit to Juan Mata’s Common Goal initiative so far
Charlie Daniels and Alfie Mawson have become the first English players to join the charity initiative Common Goal, led by Manchester United star Juan Mata.
Daniels has helped Bournemouth rise from League One to the Premier League, while Swansea City defender Mawson was still playing League Two football as little as two years ago.
They have become the 11th and 12th players to pledge to donate at least 1% of their salaries to high-impact football charities around the world.
“I’ve experienced pretty much everything that you can live as a player in England, maybe that’s why I’ll never forget where I’ve come from,” Daniels says.
“Football is such an important part of my life, as it is for so many people in this country. It just seems right that our national sport gives something back to society.
“Common Goal is the most effective and long-lasting way for players to make a difference. If my pledge can help spread the idea of Common Goal, especially among the younger players, then it will be one of the proudest achievements of my career.”
Mawson adds: “It was only a few years ago that I was playing non-league and helping out my Dad at the weekends with his market stall. I’m now at a great place and I want to concentrate 100% on my football.
“I don’t want to cause any fuss or anything, but joining Common Goal allows me to focus on my career while forming part of something that can really help transform lives of those less fortunate. It’s a good thing for football.”
Mawson and Daniels are joining up with the following players to have already committed to the cause.
Juan Mata – Manchester United
Mats Hummels – Bayern Munich
Giorgio Chiellini – Juventus
Serge Gnabry – Hoffenheim, on loan from Bayern Munich
Alex Morgan – Orlando Pride
Megan Rapinoe – Seattle Reign
Dennis Aogo – VfB Stuttgart
Alex Brosque – Sydney FC
Hasan Ali Kaldirim – Fenerbahce
Julian Nagelsmann – Hoffenheim manager
Common Goal is a creation of streetfootballworld, the international leader in football for good.
Over the past 15 years, the organisation has assembled a global network of more 120 local charities that use football as a tool to tackle social issues ranging from gender equality in India to peacebuilding in Colombia to refugee integration in Germany.
More from Planet Football
The story of FK Qarabag, the refugee club providing hope to a million
South Sudan, war, football & a refugee that nearly joined Man Utd
A journey from the Man Utd bench to factory work & now Iceland’s top flight