On Holding has signed a endorsement deal with Kylian Mbappé to mark its official entry into the soccer (global football) category. The Real Madrid star officially ended his nearly 20-year partnership with Nike. Additionally, On named retired football legend Thierry Henry as its director of football after he worked behind the scenes on the project for months.
On, which started as a running brand and entered the tennis category in 2019 when it added tennis legend Roger Federer as an ambassador and co-owner, had previously signaled its intention to enter the soccer category. On’s first range of soccer cleats are expected to reach retail in 2027.
On said in a statement, “On is bringing a fresh perspective to football – that the game is more beautiful when you can focus on the simple joy of play, enhanced through product innovation and meaningful connections with communities around the world.”
Mbappé, the third highest-paid player at this summer’s World Cup with estimated total earnings of $100 million, becomes On’s face for the sport of soccer and also “will work directly with On’s product teams,” On’s statement read. The Athletic also reported that similar to Federer, Mbappe has been given equity in the 17-year-0ld Swiss company.
In a statement on Friday, On said that Mbappe “will be at the heart of On’s football journey, uniting one of football’s defining players with one of sportswear’s most innovative brands.”
They added: “He will work directly with On’s product teams, integrating his elite perspective into the development and testing of future football footwear and apparel. He will also become a global ambassador for On, extending the partnership beyond football into movement, performance and contemporary design.”
Mbappé said: “From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game. I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what’s possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning.”
David Allemann, founder and co-CEO of On, said: “Football doesn’t need another sportswear brand to do more of the same. Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible. When we enter a sport, we want to be the brand of the future — through true innovation and contemporary design. Our ambition is to bring On’s approach to the pitch, the pavement, and the runway — connecting elite performance with the culture that surrounds the game. With Kylian we have the perfect partner to dream what football can become.”
Ex-France, Barcelona and Arsenal striker Henry, who has been working with On since late 2005, said: “Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach. Over the past year, I’ve seen first-hand the curiosity and attention to detail the team at On brings to that process. We want to listen to players, understand what they need and create something that can genuinely add to the game. I’m proud to be part of shaping what comes next.”
On also announced an extension of an existing partnership with Swiss international and Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib. She joined On in December 2025 as an ambassador for training and lifestyle apparel but will now also work on soccer boots. She said: “I’ve already experienced how differently On thinks about performance and design, so being part of its journey into football feels really exciting. As a player, having the opportunity to work directly with On and bring my perspective into the development process is something really special. I can honestly say, I’ve never felt the ball like I have in the product the team is working on.”
On is expected to sign more elite players. In entering tennis, On signed several top players in 2023, including American Ben Shelton and Poland’s Iga Świątek; the brand inked Italy’s Flavio Cobolli a year later. Świątek won three of her six Grand Slam titles with On, while Shelton recently reached the U.S. Open final, where he lost in four sets to Alexander Zverev.
Mbappé signed with Nike when he was just 8 years old. He’ll still wear the Swoosh in some capacity during international contests, since Nike is the official jersey supplier for the French national team, which Mbappé starred for at the 2026 World Cup.
Nike said in a statement to The Athletic, “Kylian’s journey with Nike began when he was nine years old. Over nearly two decades, we’ve shared moments that shaped the game and he has been an important part of Nike Football. We are proud of what we achieved together on and off the pitch. As he moves into the next phase of his career, we wish him continued success for what comes next.”
Image courtesy of On
