Arsenal star Declan Rice signs deal as ambassador for Xiaomi's YU7 SUV with global expansion imminent

Since the release of its first electric vehicle, the SU7, back in March 2024, Xiaomi's car manufacturing business has grown significantly, with the company moving over 400,000 units in 2025. Expansion looks to be on the cards as well, as evidenced by the company's new deal with global footballing sensation Declan Rice.

The Arsenal midfielder, who also plays for the English national team, is widely considered one of the best midfielders in the sport at the moment and has now signed a deal with Xiaomi as an ambassador for the company's premium YU7 SUV.

While Declan Rice may not be the most commercially influential player in his sport, he offers a recognizable face across Europe, and already represents brands like Adidas and Prada. More interestingly, though, "Xiaomi" directly translates into "Red Rice" in Mandarin, and this deal is likely also a cheeky play on that.

Xiaomi's EV business remains exclusive to the Chinese market but that is set to change soon, with the company expected to begin selling its highly-regarded cars across Europe in 2027. That puts this sponsorship in perspective, and it would not be surprising to see Xiaomi actively begin its EV marketing in Europe with similar deals in the near future.

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