WWE Legend The Undertaker in surprise collaboration with Serie A side

One of the more surprising celebrity-brand collaborations in recent memory took place on Wednesday as Serie A football side Genoa revealed their new third kit with a little help from WWE Legend The Undertaker.

The Deadman, real name Mark Calaway, has been retired from the ring for a few years now but still pops up here and there, most notably in the main event of WrestleMania 40 between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes to chokeslam The Rock.

He also features in the podcast, Six Feet Under with Mark Callaway.

His latest, surprising venture is a collaboration with Genoa to launch their new kit which is a celebration of ‘The Golden Dark Side of Genoa’. It is the first time in the club’s history that they have released a black kit.

A statement from Genoa read: “A lifetime on the ring before well-earned retirement, with a couple of electrifying comebacks. A spotlight in the Hall of Fame. Sparkling crowns of titles around his neck, even more impressive than a pride of lions. The aura of a hero, both for these and past generations, rests on shoulders that speak for themselves. Ladies and gentlemen, here’s The Undertaker. Yes, it’s really him, posing with the jersey after that playful wink, the ‘follow’ nudge, aimed at Genoa’s Instagram channel. Some people live seven lives in one, and he has the blessed nickname of ‘The Undertaker’.”

Genoa are no stranger to celebrity endorsements as last year pop star Rita Ora modelled the club’s 130-year anniversary shirt.