A MAN has spoken about how he went from being made redundant to supplying clothes to some of the biggest names in world football.

Sohail Rashid, of Liversedge, created Aime Dieu during Covid and has since seen the likes of Roberto Carlos, Iker Casillas, and Anthony Gordon wear his clothing.

The brand also has a collaboration with Leeds United following a unique meeting between former club owner Andrea Radrizzani and lifelong fan Mr Rashid.

Aime Dieu, which means Love God in French, sells sweatshirts, caps, hoodies, joggers, and t-shirts.

Asian Image: Football legends Gilberto Silva and Iker Casillas in Aime DieuFootball legends Gilberto Silva and Iker Casillas in Aime Dieu (Image: Aime Dieu)"I got made redundant by a place I worked at for 17 years," Mr Rashid said.

"I thought why don’t I start my own business to save that heartbreak from happening again.

"I had been watching Shark Tank and Dragons Den and thought I could start something."

Asian Image: A change of careers has transformed Sohail Rashid's lifeA change of careers has transformed Sohail Rashid's life (Image: Newsquest)Mr Rashid began to wear the brand on his social media account and was shocked when a famous name liked what he saw.

"Raphinha (former Leeds United and current Barcelona player) liked my post," he added.

"I assumed it was a fake account but it was the official one."

Conversations led to the winger wanting to wear an Aime Dieu hoody.

"He was walking around Elland Road with my gear on and that got other players on board.

"They started messaging me. That led to me creating my own website."

Asian Image: Mr Rashid's business is going from strength to strengthMr Rashid's business is going from strength to strength (Image: Newsquest)Mr Rashid saw this as an opportunity for a more permanent deal with the club itself.

He said: "I emailed Andrea (Radrizzani) daily for six months.

"He called me one day and said you are very persistent, so I am going to give you one chance with a half an hour meeting. 

"I brought my samples in and he loved them straight away.

"He said forget about just the players wearing your items, why don’t you do a deal with me – a collaboration with Leeds."

Asian Image: Anthony Gordon celebrating a goal. Picture by PAAnthony Gordon celebrating a goal. Picture by PA

A deal has been in place between both parties since 2021 with fans able to find Leeds United x Aime Dieu attire in the club shop.

Mr Rashid says former Manchester United player Eric Bailly wearing his brand on the day he signed on-loan for French club Marseille in 2022 also helped.

It has led to meetings with the likes of Atletico Madrid, FC Porto, and Arsenal.

Mr Rashid recalled a story involving ex-Real Madrid and Brazil left back Carlos which summarised what his brand is all about.

He added: "The quality is very important to me and that is the reason it has worked.

"When Roberto Carlos came to the UK, he said he would wear my brand but he had to make sure the quality was good.

"Since then, he has been regularly ordering it. I once met him in a restaurant in Manchester to drop off a few t-shirts to him."