Leicester star Kasper Schmeichel becomes latest footballer to sign up to Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata's Common Goal charity

  • Kasper Schmeichel has promised to donate one per cent of his salary to charity
  • Schmeichel said he was keen not just to be remembered as a footballer
  • Danish international is the 32nd person to make the pledge with Common Goal
  • Juan Mata said Schmeichel was a perfect fit for what they wanted to achieve 

By Simon Jones for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has promised to donate one per cent of his salary to charity by becoming the latest footballer to sign up for Common Goal.

The 31-year-old Denmark international says he wants to leave more than just memories behind following his football career and believes his pledge and that of others in the group can make a real difference to poverty-stricken areas around the globe.

Schmeichel joined Common Goal after speaking to the cause's pioneer, Manchester United's Juan Mata. 

Kasper Schmeichel has become the latest player to join Juan Mata's Common Goal charity

Kasper Schmeichel has become the latest player to join Juan Mata's Common Goal charity

Mata and other players who have signed up have pledged one per cent of their salary to charity

Mata and other players who have signed up have pledged one per cent of their salary to charity

'I knew it was something I'd be interested in,' said Schmeichel. 'One of my biggest goals is not to be remembered just as a footballer.


'When I finish I would like to carry on with this line of work and hopefully make a real difference to the lives of those less fortunate than me.'

Schmeichel, who, with wife Stine Gyldenbrand, has also set up a charity in Denmark called Fodbold Fonden, added: 'From the beginning of my time in football, the common thread has always been teamwork and togetherness. That's what's going to help you achieve your goals in the end. 

'Being part of Common Goal is a chance for me to be part of a different team, using our influence on the pitch to try and build something off it.'

Goalkeeper Schmeichel said he was keen to be remembered as more than a footballer

Goalkeeper Schmeichel said he was keen to be remembered as more than a footballer

Schmeichel becomes the 32nd footballer to sign up and the fifth from the Premier League as Common Goal gathers momentum.

Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin have also pledged their support as they look to use football and their collective money to help underprivileged people around the globe.

Mata, who kicked off the initiative in August, said: 'Kasper has been central to some incredible team achievements, from winning the Premier League with Leicester, to overcoming great odds to qualify for the World Cup with Denmark.

'He brings a strong team mentality and is a great fit for what we are trying to achieve.'

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