Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Kylian Mbappe leaves Nike for On amid soccer expansion
Kylian Mbappé, a famous French soccer player, is leaving Nike.
He has worked with Nike since 2006.
He is now joining On, a Swiss sportswear company.
On wants to enter soccer and plans to release football boots in 2027.
The company also hired former player Thierry Henry to lead its football work.
Nike said it was proud of its partnership with Mbappé.
Mbappé said he was joining people who share his dreams of innovation.
Investors reacted positively, and On’s shares rose before trading began.
Kylian Mbappé ended his partnership with Nike after nearly two decades.
Mbappé signed with Swiss sportswear brand On, which plans football boots in 2027.
On appointed former French player Thierry Henry as its director of football.
On shares rose 5% in premarket trading after the announcement.
The move follows Nike’s loss of Spain’s Lamine Yamal to Adidas.
- Who
- French soccer star Kylian Mbappé, Nike, and Swiss sportswear brand On.
- What
- Mbappé ended his long-running Nike partnership and signed with On.
- When
- The partnership with Nike began in 2006; On plans to launch football boots in 2027.
- Where
- The companies operate in the global sportswear market, with On seeking growth in the Americas.
- Why
- On is expanding into soccer, while Mbappé said he wanted to work with innovators who share his ambitions.
- Nike partnership
- Mbappé’s relationship with Nike began in 2006 and lasted nearly two decades.
- New sponsor
- Mbappé signed with Swiss sportswear brand On.
- Football boots
- On plans to launch its first football boots in 2027.
- Football leadership
- Former French player Thierry Henry was named On’s director of football.
- Share-price reaction
- On’s U.S.-listed shares rose 5% in premarket trading.
- Regional focus
- The Americas account for more than half of On’s revenue, according to the article.
- Recent Nike loss
- Spain’s Lamine Yamal recently moved from Nike to Adidas.