Everton striker Cenk Tosun will be a playable character in the latest Angry Birds ‘Evolution’ game along with teammates Theo Walcott and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Tosun underwent Angry Birds makeover to become one of the limited edition “extra-rare five-star birds”, to be available in play from today until Monday, August 27.
Angry Birds have been an official Everton shirt sleeve sponsor since September 2017.
The introduction of three new Everton-themed playable characters is a first for the game producers, Rovio.
The three new player-inspired characters will have three unique ‘evolutions’ based on their personalities and playing styles.
The latest photo releases of the characters show Tosun in his Everton kit and looking like an Ottoman warrior.
Tosun’s character will reflect his cultural roots and clinical finishing skills and speaking about his Angry Birds makeover, he said: “It is a big honour for me because I used to play the game when I was younger and even now, if I have time when I’m travelling, I try to play the Angry Birds game and it’s fun.
“Everyone knows that Angry Birds is one of the biggest games in the world and I am very proud that Theo, Gylfi and I are the first footballers to be part of the game. I like the design and I think it looks like me. They have drawn upon my heritage during the design process.
“I was shocked to be part of this to be honest. So many people play Angry Birds around the world, something like 8 million at any one time and that’s incredible. Some of my family and friends play, too, and it will be a nice feeling that I will be in the game while they are playing.”
Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Everton Football Club CEO, said: “Our innovative partnership with Angry Birds has enabled us to reach a new audience worldwide and gives us exposure in key international markets.
”The introduction of three personalised football-based playable characters into an Angry Birds game is a first for Rovio and I’m delighted that our two forward-thinking organisations have helped to create this small piece of history together.
”When we first met we knew there would be synergies in terms of brand, values and ambition and the partnership from our perspective enables Everton to engage with a different audience on a global scale in the digital space. Incorporating the characters of Theo, Gylfi and Cenk into the Evolution game is an innovative, tangible and vivid way of bringing our partnership to life.”
