{"id":163633,"date":"2025-06-06T18:39:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T18:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/163633\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T18:39:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T18:39:14","slug":"lions-captain-maro-itoje-confirms-shock-move-ahead-australia-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/163633\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions captain Maro Itoje confirms shock move ahead Australia tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

England enforcer Maro Itoje has dropped a bombshell ahead of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour \u2013 but it\u2019s not about rugby.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n

The Saracens and England star, heavily tipped to skipper the tourists Down Under, has made another power play away from the pitch, parting ways with Jay-Z\u2019s Roc Nation Sports to sign with Ten Toes \u2013 a fast-rising force in athlete branding and management.<\/p>\n

From rap royalty to rugby reinvention<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in 2020, Itoje shocked the rugby world by leaving long-time representatives Stellar Group to sign with Roc Nation, the sports arm of Jay-Z\u2019s entertainment empire.<\/p>\n

Now, just months out from the Lions\u2019 highly-anticipated tour to Australia, he\u2019s made another bold switch \u2013 teaming up with Ten Toes,<\/a><\/strong> a boutique agency already shaking up the sports and culture space.<\/p>\n

Locked in with Sarries<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the only major move the 30-year-old has made this year. In January, Itoje penned a new long-term deal with Saracens, alongside a bumper EPS (England Performance Squad) contract \u2013 cementing his future at the heart of both club and country.<\/p>\n

Now, with his off-field team refreshed, Itoje is set to build a brand just as towering as his lineout presence.<\/p>\n

What Ten Toes said<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ten Toes, clearly buzzing about the blockbuster signing, said in a statement:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTen Toes is pleased to welcome Saracens and England rugby union star, philanthropist and gallerist Maro Itoje to its talent roster. We\u2019ll be laying the strategic foundations for success before leading all content and exclusive commercial partnership delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

More than just muscle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Weisfeld, founder and CEO of Ten Toes, couldn\u2019t hide his excitement.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more excited. Maro is more than just a rugby player. He has so many strings to his bow, and we can\u2019t wait to build on the foundations he\u2019s already laid.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They\u2019re not wrong.<\/p>\n

Itoje has already built an impressive off-field empire. He co-founded\u00a0Akoje Gallery<\/strong>, spotlighting artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora, and teamed up with Khalil Akar to launch the\u00a0Akoje Residency<\/strong>, encouraging cross-cultural collaboration through art.<\/p>\n

Big heart, big vision<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through his\u00a0Pearl Fund<\/strong>, Itoje has raised millions to boost educational opportunities for children in Nigeria \u2013 a cause close to his heart and a testament to his passion for social change.<\/p>\n

What Maro said<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking about the new partnership, Itoje said:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m very excited to partner with Ten Toes on this next chapter. Ben and the team\u2019s work has been very impressive, and I like the way they go about their business. I\u2019m looking forward to working alongside them to help achieve my goals and aspirations.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

On and off the pitch, Itoje means business<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s disrupting lineouts or reshaping the future of athlete branding, Maro Itoje continues to prove he\u2019s more than just a rugby player. As the Lions watchlist builds and the spotlight intensifies, he\u2019s making sure his voice is heard far beyond the touchline.<\/p>\n

EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n

British & Irish Lions WAG\u2019s <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at some of the partners of the England, Irish and Scottish stars likely to be packing their passports \u2014 and maybe a Lions bucket hat or two\u2026<\/p>\n

Scotland:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nika van der Merwe \u2013 Married to the Big Man (Duhan van der Merwe)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nika and powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe tied the knot in sunny South Africa back in January 2023. She turned heads in a chic fitted gown with a thigh-high split, topped off with a glam studded cape \u2014 a wedding as bold as Duhan\u2019s sidestep.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Emma Canning \u2013 Heptathlete and Super Mum (Finn Russell)<\/strong><\/p>\n

It hasn\u2019t all been smooth sailing for Emma and magician-in-boots Finn Russell, but the pair are back stronger than ever and now proud parents to two daughters: Charlie and Skye.<\/p>\n

Emma knows the pressure of elite sport first-hand \u2014 she\u2019s a heptathlete, battling across seven gruelling events. Now she balances it all with family life and Finn\u2019s erratic brilliance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Annabel Jones \u2013 Puppy Love and Ibiza Vibes (Huw Jones)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Huw Jones and Annabel said \u201cI do\u201d in Ibiza back in July 2022 after meeting in Glasgow. Huw\u2019s not afraid to show his romantic side, often calling Annabel his \u201ceverything.\u201d<\/p>\n

When an injury sidelined him during the 2019 Six Nations, she bought him a fluffy Maltese poodle named Louis \u2014 his furry lockdown lifesaver.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dina Celina \u2013 Nutrition Queen and Future Mrs Kinghorn (Blair Kinghorn)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blair Kinghorn popped the question to nutritionist Dina during a dreamy weekend at Gleneagles in 2023 \u2014 wedding bells will ring this August after the tour wraps.<\/p>\n

The couple made an appearance in\u00a0Six Nations: Full Contact\u00a0on Netflix, with viewers spotting Blair stepping in at fly-half when Finn Russell was sidelined. Dina\u2019s backstage support? Rock solid.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/strong><\/p>\n

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