Manchester United ace Juan Mata's Common Goal charity takes huge step forward as Charlie Daniels and Alfie Mawson become first English players to pledge a share of their earnings

• e-mail

Charlie Daniels and Alfie Mawson have become the first English players to pledge a share of their earnings to Common Goal, the football charity pioneered by Manchester United star Juan Mata.

Mata believes the support of the two Premier League players, announced on Friday, is a significant step forward for the foundation.

'I've been speaking to several English players who have shown an interest in Common Goal and it's brilliant that Charlie and Alfie are the first players to make the pledge,' said Mata.

Juan Mata's Common Goal charity has received the backing of two Premier League players

'They are both top Premier League players and their commitment is a great step in the evolution of Common Goal.'

Bournemouth full-back Daniels and Swansea central defender Mawson will donate at least one per cent of their salary to football charities around the world.

It's notable that neither player is among the Premier League's high earners, with both having to work their way up through the lower divisions to the richest league in the world.

Daniels, 31, helped Bournemouth win promotion from League One and the Championship. He said: '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.

'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.

Charlie Daniels and Alfie Mawson have pledged to share some of their wages with the charity

'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, 23, was playing on loan at Welling United just three years ago. The England Under-21 international said: '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 per cent 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.'

The announcement takes the number of players committed to Common Goal worldwide to 12, including European stars Mats Hummels and Giorgio Chiellini.