One Direction's Niall Horan has signed up for Soccer Aid 2016 and will join forces with Premier League winning Manager, Claudio Ranieri as Assistant Manager to the Rest of the World.
The Irish singer-songwriter will go head to head with fellow bandmate, Louis Tomlinson who is playing for England.
Niall says: “It’s an absolute honour to be asked to be involved with such a fantastic charity and this game has become a major event on the calendar for the last 10 years. I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of the Rest of World team and Mr Ranieri’s management team. We have a great team this year and I’m sure the boys are looking forward to the challenge. It’s going to be a great week.”
The electrifying football match will take place on Sunday 5th June and broadcast live on ITV from Manchester United’s legendary Old Trafford Stadium, all in aid of UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation.
Niall joins The Rest of the World squad which will be led once again by Unicef UK Ambassador and Captain Michael Sheen. He will be backed up on the pitch by Michelin-starred Chef Gordon Ramsay, pop star and presenter Nicky Byrne plus Kiss FM and ITV presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams.
The Rest Of The World team will also have a FIFA World Cup Winning captain, Brazilian Legend and their most capped player Cafu. He is joined by Manchester United favourites Jaap Stam and Dimitar Berbatov, Dutch midfield dynamo Edgar Davids, former Barcelona and Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto’o plus Germany and Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann – who will be looking to make it two Soccer Aid wins in a row for Rest of The World.
Whilst band mate Louis Tomlinson will play for England alongside pop star Olly Murs, TV and Heart FM presenter Mark Wright, pop star and presenter Marvin Humes; comedian Paddy McGuinness, Jonathan Wilkes, GMB’s Ben Shephard, comedians Jack Whitehall and John Bishop, TV and Heart FM presenter Jamie Theakston in goal and coach Bradley Walsh.
Jose Mourinho will manage the England team alongside Sam Allardyce and Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams.
The England Legends signed-up for Soccer Aid 2016 will include: Liverpool icons Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler and former Manchester United star Phil Neville; David Seaman and his former Arsenal team-mate Sol Campbell – all hoping to wrestle back the much coveted Soccer Aid trophy.The tenth anniversary match promises to be bigger, better and bolder than ever before, as the world’s biggest stars from sport, music, television and film play in a jaw-dropping game to raise money and vital support for Unicef’s work for children in danger.
Tickets now on sale for Soccer Aid 2016, call 0845 456 2016 or visit manutd.com/socceraid.
Booking fee applies. Calls charged at 0.75p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
Go to www.unicef.org.uk/socceraid to find out more.
