Many eyebrows were raised when Everton signed a shirt sponsorship deal with Angry Birds over the summer, but it looks like the partnership is finally beginning to bear fruit — utterly ridiculous fruit.
As part of the new “Angry Birds Evolution” update, several Toffees players have been bestowed with playable characters within the game.
Theo Walcott was first to proudly unveil his new avian avatar, complete with a meticulously sculpted goatee beard.
Excited to have a character within @AngryBirds Evolution! DOWNLOAD NOW to play as me, @CenkTosun_ and Gylfi https://t.co/0JjcPhX976 ” pic.twitter.com/nzZ3c96F0R
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) August 22, 2018
As well as Walcott, teammates Gylfi Sigurdsson and Cenk Tosun have also had their likenesses included in the game.The trio have undergone digital makeovers to become limited edition playable characters in the Evolution edition of the game, produced by the Toffees’ shirt sleeve sponsors Rovio.
Quite how much fresh interest the addition of a Walcott character is likely to generate is anybody’s guess.
Still, if the partnership between Everton and Angry Birds keeps coughing up random nonsense like this, then we’re definitely all for it.
? | Introducing the first footballers to feature in @AngryBirds…
Gylfi Sigurdsson, @CenkTosun_ and @TheoWalcott!
Download Angry Birds Evolution now to play ➡️ https://t.co/XbbnFhdjMG pic.twitter.com/3JcJjF5BM7
— Everton (@Everton) August 22, 2018
It is the Finland-based company’s first venture into Premier League football following successful associations with the likes of NASA, Apple, NBA, NFL, McDonalds and Star Wars.
“Angry Birds is one of the biggest names in gaming and I am very happy to be one of the first three football players in the world to have my own personalised playable character,” Walcott told evertonfc.com.
Turkey international Tosun added: “I was shocked to be part of this to be honest. It is a big honour for me because I used to play the game when I was younger.
“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.”
Theo Walcott has revealed his perfect five-a-side team – with former Everton team-mate Wayne Rooney earning a place in midfield.
The Everton star spent six months with Rooney at Goodison, as well as featuring alongside him for several years on England duty.
Walcott spelt out his ‘Black Knights’ line-up on Instagram, and even handed Rooney the captain’s armband.
“He’s not known as a midfielder but he’s starting to now, it’s Wayne Rooney,” Walcott said. “He’d be my captain as well.”