Manchester City signs Kez Brown as first Pro eSports player

Manchester City has moved into the burgeoning eSports market, by announcing that it has signed 18-year old Kieran “Kez” Brown as its first ever professional eSports player.

Brown, a Pro FIFA EA Sports gamer, will represent Manchester City at various international eSports tournaments and will further promote the football club while participating in live stream games on YouTube and Twitch TV.

The club’s decision to sign an eSports Pro, follows English Premier League rivals West Ham’s announcement that it had signed ‘FIFA Interactive World Cup” runner-up Sean Allen last May.

European football clubs appear keen to expand their presence within the fast-growing market of competitive video gaming. German Bundesliga football clubs’ Schalke 04 and Wolfsburg have committed projects towards building e-Sports teams.

Diego Gigliani, vice-president of media and innovation at Manchester City, said: “As e-sports continues to gain momentum, it makes sense for our club to be part of the action and get closer to our fans, who love playing EA Sports Fifa as Manchester City.

“We will be a bigger presence at gaming tournaments; we will have more content through our digital channels, and we will activate even more with our fans at matches and club events.”