Latest news with #HalRobsonKanu
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Ex-Premier League ace gets £15MILLION windfall after selling stake in health drink firm which helped his injury recovery
A FORMER Premier League star has netted £15 million after selling his stake in his health drink company. Ex-Wales and West Brom striker Hal Robson-Kanu, 36, had founded The Turmeric Co. brand after saying shots of turmeric helped him battle injury setbacks. 4 4 4 He hailed the ginger plant as his "secret weapon", saying supplements of it saved his footballing career. Now, his company Innate-Essence has sold its majority stake of 50.01 per cent to Irn-Bru makers AG Barr in a deal worth £15 million. Among his praises for turmeric, Robson-Kanu said it had helped him to recover from a cruciate knee ligament rupture when he was just a teenager. Following his recovery, he founded both The Turmeric Co. brand as well as Raw Hydrate. The popular drinks are sold by Sainsbury's and Ocado as well as in David Lloyd sports clubs across the country. Keeping him in touch with his footballing past, Premier League sides Everton and Brentford also sell the beverages. Outside of football, Robson-Kanu's brands have partnerships with top rugby sides Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers as well as British Gymnastics. Robson-Kanu won 46 caps for Wales and scored in the historic 3-1 win against Belgium to put them into the semi finals of Euro 2016. The ex-Prem player said: 'I created the brand as a convenient and great-tasting way to support wellness-conscious individuals and sportspeople like me. 'We've had a remarkable few years but with this latest milestone and such heavyweight backing, it feels like our journey is just beginning – we've unlocked a new level. 'The international potential is huge, and we can't wait to see what we achieve next.' AG Barr said the investment was 'consistent with the company's strategy of acquisitions and innovation in highgrowth, health-focused, functional beverage categories'. It added: 'The investment has been funded from the company's net cash position. It is not expected to have a significant impact on revenue or profit in the current financial year.' In 2023, Robson-Kanu launched a campaign with Sainsbury's to promote his turmeric shots. The star appeared in an advert pretending to be a Sainsbury's shop floor worker just two years after his career came to an end. HOW ROBSON-KANU DISCOVERED TURMERIC 'GOLD' Earlier in 2023, he also opened up about the reasons behind his business ventures. After joining Reading's academy at the age of 15, Robson-Kanu suffered two severe injuries before breaking into the first team, both of which required surgery. He was told by club doctors that he would likely never play without pain and restriction in his knee again, prompting him to take prescribed painkillers. However, after these had an adverse effect on his body, the former Wales international turned to natural remedies. He told The Reading Chronicle: "It was at that point where me and my dad basically went on a research binge. We began looking at natural ways to recover from pain, inflammation and swelling. "We went to the library and scoured the internet. We looked at ancient Asian practices in eastern cultures where they would use natural remedies. "What we began to find was these natural ingredients which kept recurring, like watermelon, pomegranate, pineapple, ginger and turmeric in the raw format." The star said it was the raw ingredients that were key to having an impact on recovery and so he set out with his dad to source the ingredients for his magical blend. While the taste didn't land at first, they eventually perfected the blend of "raw, natural ingredients" into a "golden elixir". After adding more nutrients, micronutrients and macronutrients, Robson-Kanu said the "golden blend" was giving him a "real boost of energy". Regular consumption helped him make progress and eventually the pain and inflammation in his knee subsided, giving him full flexibility once more.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Made in Reading, toasted in Wales: Hal Robson-Kanu and the goal that shocked Belgium's ‘Golden Generation'
Wales and Belgium face each other on Monday night in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Wales have started their campaign well, while the Red Devils had a stuttering start against North Macedonia. In the last four meetings between the sides, Wales have yet to beat Belgium. The Red Devils have won two of the previous four games, both at home. However, the fifth game is arguably the most famous between the sides. On Friday, July the 1st 2016, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille witnessed one of the biggest shocks in recent Euro's history. Belgium's so called Golden Generation were humbled by Chris Coleman's Wales. The hero of that night was Reading FC winger Hal Robson-Kanu. In his final season for Reading, the forward had scored five goals and provided seven assists in 35 games. His contract was up, and in many ways the tournament came at the perfect time. The goal he scored certainly raised his profile within Europe. I can still remember where I was when he turned into Johan Cruyff. Sat in a bar in Poznan, Poland, I was sure that Belgium would see off this plucky Welsh side. When Radja Nainggolan scored early on, it felt like the Red Devils would cruise to victory. Advertisement However, with around 15 minutes to go to half-time, Coleman's side hit back. Ashley Williams grabbed an equaliser and the sides went into the break all square. 10 minutes after the break, the goal that defined the game was scored. During his time at Reading, Robson-Kanu had always been a player that relied on his technical ability rather than any blistering pace. That technical ability was on full display. Wales hit Belgium on the counter attack, with an inch perfect pass from Joe Allen finding Aaron Ramsey's forward run. His ball in was controlled by Robson-Kanu with his back to goal. Three defenders were surrounding the Reading man, but rather than lay it back his audacious turn in the box fooled everyone as he fired past Thibaut Courtois. It was rightly nominated for the Puskas award for the year 2016, yet was beaten to that title by Malaysian footballer Mohd Faiz Subri for a goal against Pahang during the Malaysian Super League season. Robson-Kanu would only score five goals for the Welsh national team, yet it is unlikely that anyone can remember any of the other four. Robson-Kanu was substituted in the 80th minute, with his replacement Sam Vokes completing the shock and sending the much fancied Belgian side home. It is certainly a sliding doors moment for that Belgian side. Wales went on to lose out to eventual winners Portugal in the semi-finals, who beat hosts France in the final. Could Belgium have won that tournament? They certainly had the talent, but that night it just wasn't meant to be for the Red Devils. Memories of that night will certainly be recalled ahead of the clash between the two sides on Monday. Even in Belgium, that game is remembered but rather not talked about. When Coleman joined OH Leuven he was asked about that game, such is its position in the minds of the Belgian football fan. Advertisement For Robson-Kanu, one could argue that his career peaked in that very moment. He went on to join West Brom and play Premier League football, but never enjoyed a moment as defining as that goal in Lille. Yet, how many of us would dream of achieving what Robson-Kanu did that evening. Many a player would trade in scoring for their clubs to be remembered for one moment of brilliance on the international stage. It is not an exaggeration to say that the goal Robson-Kanu scored that night as immortalised him in footballing history. Wales have not had the same success either since 2016. Yet, a win on Monday against Belgium would stand them in good stead to qualify for back to back World Cups. For Belgium, they need to win to ensure they don't put themselves under early pressure in the qualification campaign. GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson
