Eighteen-year-old U.S. soccer star Christian Pulisic has signed an autograph deal with Panini America. He becomes the first soccer athlete to join the company on an exclusive basis and they say he will become “the face of Panini’s soccer business.”
Pulisic will lead the US Men’s National team into a pivotal World Cup qualifier Thursday against Trinidad & Tobago. His first autographed trading cards arrived earlier this year in 2016-17 Select Soccer. Pulisic recently signed autographed memorabilia for the Panini Authentic website.
“Christian is an amazing talent that has commanded the attention of U.S. soccer fans unlike any player has in many, many years. We’re honored to have him join the Panini America team,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “His performances in the Champions League and Bundesliga in Germany have been nothing short of remarkable and fans back home are really taking notice. We’re excited to be able to offer those fans something unique that they won’t be able to find anywhere else. For his fans and for us, these next few World Cup q
ualifiers can’t get here fast enough.”
Pulisic was just 17 and playing for Borussia Dortmund last April when he became the youngest player in German Bundesliga history to score two goals. Less than two weeks ago, he helped his club hoist the DFB Cup.
Last September, at a little over two weeks shy of his 18th birthday, he became the youngest American player to score a goal in World Cup qualifying history.
“Like most soccer-loving kids, I was a huge fan of Panini soccer stickers growing up. But I never dreamed that I would one day be joining the Panini family as part of such a meaningful relationship,” Pulisic said. “It’s flattering – and humbling – to join a roster of athletes that includes the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Andrew Luck, Dez Bryant and more.”
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