Ex-Arsenal star Bacary Sagna has new job after football retirement after setting up business selling BACKPACKS
BACARY SAGNA has swapped back fours for backpacks – after the ex-Arsenal star quit football to sell £200 ‘weightless rucksacks’.
The former Manchester City defender carried a heavy load during ten years in the Premier League but is now helping others travel light after ending his playing journey.
Rather than let his career ramble on, the 39-year-old become a partner in French company Gravipack after a chance encounter with founder Mohammed Errafi on a train.
Ex-France ace Sagna pumped £220,000 into the business and will join a host of ramblers’ groups to show off the firm’s lightweight products.
Appearing with Errafi on French TV, he tramped around the countryside with walkers and claimed: “This is the biggest challenge of my life outside of football.”
Errafi recalled how Sagna thought he was crazy when he told the 65-cap icon about his weightless wonders.
READ MORE IN SPORT
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
He said: “In November 2019 I got onto a train at the same time as Bacary Sagna.
“I told him that I had invented a weightless rucksack. He burst out laughing, and told me I was mad.
“I have invented a product that comfortably spreads the load, and brings relief to one’s back.
“The shoulder straps are unique. Your shoulders feel free, and there is an impressive absence of weight.”
Most read in Football
Sagna wasn’t known for getting into rucks during his playing career.
In 267 Prem games he bagged four goals and was only sent off once, albeit picking up 29 bookings.
But now he hopes to rock the rucksack market.
Sagna left the Etihad for Italians Benevento four years ago but soon left for MLS side Montreal Impact, retiring in 2019.