July 8 – Manchester City have signed a new player. Kieran ‘Kez’ Brown will represent Manchester City in football gaming tournaments and fan events.
Brown, 18, from York, England, has joined the club as its first eSports player and will represent the Club both at tournaments and at fan events.
The signing marks official recognition of the growth of eSports as an activity that gamers are engaging in beyond their homes and increasingly in tournaments – as participants and spectators.
Diego Gigliani, SVP, Media and Innovation, City Football Marketing, said: “This is a natural evolution for Manchester City. We’ve been very involved with our partner, EA SPORTS, and the FIFA franchise for some time.
“As eSports continues to gain momentum, it makes sense for our Club to be part of the action and get closer to our fans, who love playing EA SPORTS FIFA as Manchester City. We will be a bigger presence at gaming tournaments, we will have more content through our digital channels and we will activate even more with our fans at matches and Club events.
Brown is the first eSports player to be signed by a football club.
“When we set out to find an eSports player, we decided we wanted someone who was a fantastic, young, talent, but also with a hunger and a desire to grow. We strongly believe we have found that in Kieran. He is full of potential. Not only is he a great player, but we also believe he will engage and interact brilliantly with our fans all around the world,” said Gigliani.
Brown, said: “It’s exciting; it’s something new for the Club and it’s something new for me. I’m going to livestream on twitch, I’m going to be making videos for Manchester City’s YouTube channel and I’m going to be playing some City fans and representing City in future tournaments, which I’m looking forward to. This is an opportunity which not many people get the chance to do and I couldn’t turn it down.”
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