Premium Swiss sportswear brand On has made a disruptive entry into the soccer industry by signing global icon Kylian Mbappe, as the former Nike athlete declined to renew his contract with the ailing brand.

On Football is claiming to bring a “fresh perspective” to the world’s game, with fellow French soccer legend Thierry Henry named as the brand’s director of football.

“Football doesn’t need another sportswear brand to do more of the same,” said David Allemann, founder and co-CEO of On. “Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible. When we enter a sport, we want to be the brand of the future – through true innovation and contemporary design.

“Our ambition is to bring On’s approach to the pitch, the pavement, and the runway – connecting elite performance with the culture that surrounds the game. With Kylian, we have the perfect partner to dream what football can become.”

The launch will bring On’s proprietary ‘Light Spray’ technology to the soccer field; On says product launches will follow soon.

“From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game,” Mbappe said. “I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what’s possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning.”

Mbappe first partnered with Nike in 2006 at nine years old, then quickly became its premier face in soccer. He leaves the company as it grapples with a 50 per cent decline in its stock price in the prior 12 months, making it the worst-performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average for the year.