QUICK-SERVICE restaurant giant KFC Jamaica has signed a two-year brand partnership with one of Jamaica’s most celebrated female footballers, Reggae Girl and Manchester City forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.

The partnership with Jamaica’s all-time leading goalscorer will cover the 2022 Fifa Men’s World Cup in Qatar, the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, scheduled to begin next July in New Zealand and Australia, and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

“KFC is a long-time supporter of Jamaican sports and athletes; it is, therefore, an absolute honour to enter into a brand partnership with one of Jamaica’s greatest footballers. We are pleased to welcome Khadija to the KFC family, and we are delighted to be a part of her journey,” noted Restaurants of Jamaica Brand Manager Andrei Roper.

Roper continued: “Khadija’s values align perfectly with everything we hold dear at KFC — leadership, family, teamwork, youth development, nation building, and all-around Jamaican excellence. She is a brilliant role model for young athletes and a true ambassador for Jamaica, with a tremendous future ahead. We look forward to what will undoubtedly be two great years of close collaboration.”

As part of the partnership KFC will provide critical support to camps, outreach and youth development activities that Khadija Shaw plans to carry out in Jamaica. In turn, Shaw will appear in KFC brand and retail marketing campaigns, helping to boost the brand image as she continues to excel on and off the field.

An elated Khadija Shaw celebrated the start of the partnership.

“I’m really excited to be partnering with KFC. Growing up as a child in Jamaica, my family and I would often spend time sitting outside in the evenings with our KFC meals — spending quality time together — so to now be joining the KFC team as an official partner, it’s a really great moment for me and my family. I’m excited to see this partnership come together and I’m looking forward to doing big things!”

Shaw is Jamaica’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 40 goals throughout her career. In 2018 she was named the Southern Eastern Conference (SEC) Offensive Player of the Year for Tennessee University. Shaw was also recognised by British publication The Guardian as the 2018 Footballer of the Year and one of the top women footballers in the world in 2019. Her accomplishments, individually and as part of a team, continue to inspire a new generation of players.