Mats Hummels join with Manchester United player Juan Mata

Mata and Hummels will collaborate off the pitch

Mats Hummels has followed Manchester United player Juan Mata's lead by pledging one per cent of his salary to charity.

Bayern Munich defender Hummels, who came close to joining United in 2014, messaged Mata after it emerged the playmaker had decided to donate one per cent of his wages to football-based charities.

"It's time to celebrate a great news for Common Goal because last week I got an unexpected message from my phone and I'm going to read it to you," Mata said in a video message.

"'Hi Juan, this is Mats Hummels, just wanted to congratulate you on your Common Goal, fantastic project. Would be great to discuss with you and your team how I can get involved.'

"So obviously after that I was really, really happy, I put Mats in contact with our Common Goal team, and he eventually joined. He's a new member of Common Goal so, again, it's a great day for football. Willkommen Mats!"

Hummels said: "As soon as I heard of Common Goal I knew this was a chance for football to improve our world, and I wanted to be part of it. I feel we could be doing more to connect the increasing revenues in football to some kind of deeper purpose.

"This is what struck me about Common Goal. Through the one per cent pledge, we’re building a bridge between football and its social impact around the world."

Mata visited slums in Mumbai, India, with his partner Evelina Kamph in June, and urged his fellow professionals to get involved in a new initiative with Common Goal, described as a movement whereh players pledge one per cent of their salaries to a collective fund that supports football charities around the world.

Spain international Mata added: "I don’t actually know Mats personally, so I was pleasantly surprised when he contacted me to talk Common Goal. He really gets what we’re trying to achieve and is the perfect teammate to have on-board at this early stage.

"The fact that a World Cup holder, at the peak of his career with one of the biggest clubs on the planet, has chosen to make the pledge shows the power and magic of what we’re doing. The reception to Common Goal has been amazing so far and I have no doubt Mats’ involvement will inspire more players to join."

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