Kyle Walker joins The Sun’s World Cup coverage team

Manchester City and England star Kyle Walker is joining The Sun’s World Cup coverage team.

Walker – who played in three Euros and two World Cups – will appear on The Sun’s different platforms, including contributions to its Sun Originals video franchises, print and digital columns, and digital-first social video content.

Over the last year The Sun’s sport wing, SunSport, has expanded its football offering with Sun Originals video formats Tactics Exposed and Team Talk, which have achieved sponsorship and reached new audiences, driving millions of views.

The Sun plans to run World Cup specials of both shows, and will launch two shows that have been commissioned for the tournament – Proper Football Daily and Ones To Watch.

Both shows launch soon and have picked up brand sponsorship.

The Sun is also running an in-person fan event, the World Cup Preview show, which will be staged live at the News Building on 1 June, featuring Walker, Harry Redknapp and Gordon Strachan, alongside The Sun’s director of sport Shaun Custis.

Victoria Newton, editor-in-chief of The Sun says: “We are thrilled to welcome Kyle Walker to the SunSport family. We have massive plans for the World Cup and having one of the most decorated players in the English game join us so soon after his international retirement, is a massive coup. Kyle knows this squad and the pressures on the England team in a World Cup better than anyone. Our readers are getting the ultimate insider’s view as England chases football’s greatest prize.”

Walker adds: “I’m excited to be signing as a World Cup columnist for The Sun this summer. The World Cup is the biggest stage in football and, having experienced it as a player, I know exactly what the pressure, emotion and excitement of the tournament feels like. I’m looking forward to sharing that insight with readers and viewers throughout the competition.

“This will be my first major tournament from the other side of the game, which is something I’m really excited about, and The Sun has one of the biggest and most passionate football audiences around during major tournaments. Nothing will ever compare to representing your country at a World Cup, but I’m looking forward to staying close to the action and hopefully bringing fans honest analysis and a perspective only someone who’s lived those moments can give.”