Hibs ace Ryan Porteous joins Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea star Timo Werner in joining Common Goal

Hibs star Ryan Porteous has become the latest star to join Common Goal.

Ryan Porteous is the first male Scottish player to join Common Goal. Picture: SNS

The 21-year-old joins the likes of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea forward Timo Werner, Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun and Scotland women internationals Jane Ross, Christie Murray, Sophie Howard and Caroline Weir in donating a percentage of his salary to the charitable movement co-founded in 2017 by Manchester United star Juan Mata.

He will pledge at least one per cent of his Hibs wage to help drive female empowerment after being inspired by Manchester City and Scotland midfielder Weir.

Weir, who like Porteous is represented by 77 Sports Management, the agency founded by the tennis star Andy Murray, was the 150th member of Common Goal.

Porteous was keen to help empower women in football with the subject close to his heart having witnessed the difficulties and hurdles his older sister Emma faced to pursue a career in the game.

His pledge will support grassroots projects that use football to foster female empowerment and to drive gender equality.

Changing world

“I have just been with the senior Scotland team, a very proud moment for me, but we can’t lose sight of what is happening around us and the need for collective action is clearer than ever,” Porteous said.

Caroline Weir was the 150th member of Common Goal. Picture: SNS

"I am excited to join the Common Goal team and help empower girls to have the chance to realise any goal they may have in football and in life. It’s great to be the first Scottish Premier League player and I hope that many friends and players will join Common Goal.”

Porteous’ decision was welcomed by Weir, who revealed that half of Common Goal members are women.

She said: “I am so happy to see that a 21-year old such as Ryan, with a bright professional career ahead of him, has not only been inspired by the example of his female colleagues to join the cause, but he has also pledged his commitment to driving gender equality.

"The world is changing quickly, and it is up to as all to decide the direction in which we would like to go.”

Mata added: “Along with Timo Werner joining a couple of weeks ago, I really hope that Ryan becoming a member is another step in raising awareness of Common Goal in UK football.

"Football has a unique power to help solve the multiple challenges we are facing, whether that’s Covid-19, poverty, unemployment, discrimination, climate crisis, or gender equality.”

What is Common Goal?

The charitable movement aims to "unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges of our time”.

Porteous becomes the 167th player or manager to join the organisation, a list which also includes Juventus’ Paulo Dybala, US superstar Megan Rapinoe, ex-Hibs loanee Duncan Watmore and ex-Rangers midfielder Robbie Crawford, now playing in America.

Members pledge at least one per cent of their salary to a central fund. Common Goal then "allocate this fund to high-impact organisations that harness the power of football to advance the United Nations Global Goals”.

There are 17 UN Global Goals with Common Goal supporting six: Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work & Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities and Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions.

So far Common Goal has generated more than €2.25 million.

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