Former Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o is branching into fashion, with his line of premium collection of shirts, caps and sneakers set for release internationally in the coming weeks, after setting up a mobile telephone company known as ‘Eto’o Telecom’ in his homeland.

Appearing under his new brand ‘Samuel Eto’o 9’, the collection is mainly menswear and are being designed and manufactured in Turkey, where an experimental batch was released into the local market last February, according to Gabriel Pascal Nyemeg Nlend, a Cameroonian designer, who masterminded the project.

“This project is recognition of Samuel Eto’o’s achievements in African football. Buying these stuff is like saying ‘thank you’ to him for the joy, pride and honour he has given to us as Africans through football,” Nlend said.

“After the pitch and the stadium, we want Samuel Eto’o to accompany us to our homes, towns and villages by wearing his brand.”

Eto’o and Nlend will meet in Portugal later this month to finalise plans for the launching of the brand in Spain, Russia, Portugal and England, according to the designer.

The 34-year-old striker retired from the Indomitable Lions last year and now plies his trade at Italian club Sampdoria.