Southampton Sign Up Professional Esports Player
Southampton Football Club has announced the signing of its first official esports player, Owen Venn.
With a proud history of producing and developing footballing talent, the club is now entering the world of esports by aiding Owen’s progression.
Owen, who will play under the gamer tag SaintsVenny, will represent the club on a full-time basis in the professional gaming world, playing FIFA 20 tournaments throughout the year, including the 2019/20 ePremier League.
The 22-year-old made it all the way to the semi-finals of the PS4 bracket of the inaugural ePremier League finals last season, when he represented Saints, while he also qualified for the eChampions League.
Proudly representing the red and white of Southampton last season, the club is excited to support Owen moving forward.
Southampton Football Club’s Marketing Director, Luke Nicholson, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Venny as our first official esports player.
“As a club, we take great pride in our digital output, and we are always striving to connect and engage with fans and different audiences in new and exciting ways. Becoming more involved in esports, which is an area that has seen tremendous growth in recent years, gives us another opportunity to do this.
“Venny represented us so impressively during last season’s ePremier League, and we are delighted to be working with him even more closely now. We look forward to supporting him in his own goals, and are excited about what he can achieve while playing for us.”
The club’s support of Owen will also see it endeavour to assist him in areas away from gaming, such as sports psychology, nutrition and fitness, as he bids to follow the club’s philosophy of turning potential into excellence and adopt a number of practices used in professional sports.
After signing as Southampton’s official player, he commented: “I am proud to be signing for Southampton as their first ever FIFA esports player. I have big ambitions for my career and feel that the club can offer me the support I need to take my career to the next level. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
Image: PA Images
