16 footballers invest in eco-friendly boot company Sokito

Eco-friendly football boot company Sokito has announced that 16 professional footballers have invested in the company and it's commitment to developing the environmentally conscious boots.

Sokito's handmade football boots are made from a minimum 56% recycled and earth-friendly materials including carpet, plastic bottles and castor beans. The company recently launched the ‘Devista Vegan’, made from 100% animal-free materials and certified by the Vegan Society, and has also been shortlisted for the Green Business Award of Recycling Project of the Year.

Investment from professional footballers accentuates the ever-increasing awareness of the climate impact football is having on the world. Research shows that 23 out of the 92 English league stadiums are set to be flooded by 2050.

The footballers who have invested in Sokito are: Dominc Bernard, John Bostock, Craig Cathcart, Tom Cleverley, Georgie Kelly, Luuk de Jong, Siem de Jong, Adrian Mariappa, Lukas Nmecha, Felix Nmecha, Marvin Sordell, Isaac Kiese Thelin, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Morten Thorsby, William Troost-Ekong and David Wheeler.

A number of the players who've invested are already well known for their commitment to combatting football's climate impact, with David Wheeler recently became the PFA's first ever sustainability champion while Troost-Ekong is the first footballer to ever offset the CO2 impact of an international transfer - working with Sokito to do so.

Speaking about his investment, Troost-Ekong said: “When your own outlook aligns with the brand you’re investing in, it takes the partnership to another level. To have Sokito work out your emissions and come up with ways to offset your CO2 impact is quite different but it’s in line with what they are doing as a company.”

Jake Hardy, Sokito's founder, also commented on the strides football is making in combatting and raising awareness for climate change, saying:

“This is a sign that players want access to more sustainable investment opportunities that benefit football and the planet. The players involved have been incredibly supportive; from using their platforms to talk about our environmental actions to practical feedback on our football boots”.