Jerome Boateng is a fashion journalist, designer, magazine owner and style icon
The Bayern Munich defender recently published BOA and has another fashion line scheduled to come out next year
MANY top footballers have a passion for fashion, with some launching their own ranges of designer clothing.
But Bayern Munich and Germany superstar Jerome Boateng has gone one stage further by launching his own fashion magazine, named after him.
The former Manchester City star had already put his name to a range of designer glasses called JB by Jerome Boateng.
And he is famous in his homeland for owning a collection of more than 600 pairs of trainers.
But he has now launched his own bi-monthly fashion magazine, immodestly named BOA.
The 30-year-old, who has nearly 6million followers on Instagram, said: "I realised in the past few months that I'm an ambassador for many people.
“I stand for a Germany that is more colorful, cool and optimistic about the future.
“This attitude should come into effect in the magazine BOA.”
BOA is dubbed Germany's "first urban lifestyle magazine for millennials" by its publishers Gruner + Jahr, which has other celebrity-based publications.
Priced at £4.40, it comes with a hefty price. However it is meant to be seen as a lifestyle bible.
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Boateng said: “With this magazine I want to transmit my passion for fashion, sports and music and tell interesting stories from my own point of view.
“My project is something more ambitious.
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“I intend to explore emerging trends, not only in fashion, but also in music and everything related to sports.”
Boateng’s journalistic work will be assisted by the agencies Territory and Roc Nation, the latter founded by the American rapper Jay Z in 2008 and representing artists of the stature of the singers Rihanna or Shakira.
The first issue, which came out in November, is certainly aimed at those that can afford the finer things in life, and it's all curated by Editor-In-Chief Boateng.
There's 'Pick it like Boa' which features 13 must-have items selected by the giant defender.
One of those is an eye-watering £27,000 watch, chump change for a man who is reported to earn around £130k per week.
Then the 'Treat of the Month' is (and we're not kidding) a £880,000 swimming pool that also allows you to surf.
Elsewhere, Boateng dons his interviewing cap for a chat with German rapper Shindy and politics comes up further down the line.
The key message that BOA is trying to get across with his new title is that the content is meant to be inspirational.
And that's something that Boateng is continuing to do in fashion, as he's gearing up to launch another brand collaboration.
He's joined forces with H&M to produce a new, affordable luxury line aimed at millennials called /Nyden.
"I have always liked wearing clothes that help me stand out quietly, not loudly," he said.
"Nyden understands my sense of style and shares my vision.
"Together, we will create a line that enables anyone to look sharp at all times – travelling on a plane or a bus to a match, a day out with family or a late dinner in the bright lights of the city.
"It'll be a mix of classic, casual and striking to help people express themselves without being too loud."
The brands' creative director Stina Force revealed why Boateng is the perfect style icon.
"Jérôme is a leader on and off the football field," she said.
"He knows it isn't just the clothes that make the man – it's how he wears them.
"This makes him the perfect tribe leader to act as an ambassador for our brand.
"We are eager to work with him to help people from all backgrounds emulate his style and confidence."
Boateng's /Nyden range is scheduled to be released in spring 2019. But what do his club make of his off the field activities?
Well, according to German newspaper Tz, they're not too happy about it.
Since 2015, Boateng has been signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports, who also look after Romelu Lukaku's US interests.
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It's an arrangement that the Munich-based tabloid claimed infuriated Bayern Munich Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Rummenigge even suggested that the Bavarian giants would've been willing to cash in on their prize asset if a good offer came in before the end of the transfer window.
It's true his club haven't had the best start of the season, but he is still thought of as one of the world's leading defenders.
How soon will it be until he's thought of as football's most stylish man?