Big-hearted former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger sells signed shirt to help save endangered pygmy hippos

FORMER Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is acceptable to merchantability a signed match-worn Real Madrid garment to assistance prevention endangered pygmy hippos.

The German, 31, is already the honorary sponsor of Berlin Zoo's pygmy hippo, Toni.

But present the centre-back has partnered with the zoo for an auction which volition instrumentality spot connected the online level Catawiki.

Among the items connected merchantability are hippo Toni's archetypal mini shot and a life-sized sculpture of the zoo's Indian rhinoceros, Betty.

But possibly the astir eye-catching collectable connected connection has been donated by Real Madrid prima Rudiger.

The two-time Champions League victor has signed the garment helium wore during Los Blancos' 4-0 triumph implicit Osasuna earlier this month.

All proceeds volition spell to the Pygmy Hippo Research Project successful Sierra Leone's Gola Rainforest National Park - which attempts to support pygmy hippos successful their earthy habitat.

As reported by Newsflash, Rudiger said: "The situation of pygmy hippos successful West Africa is nether terrible threat, and it would beryllium genuinely heartbreaking if these unsocial animals were to vanish forever.

"Little Toni and I are arrogant to beryllium ambassadors, moving unneurotic to support this endangered taxon and its habitat.

"The auction supporting the conservation task successful Sierra Leone is simply a large accidental to actively lend and assistance guarantee the endurance of pygmy hippos and galore different species.

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"That's wherefore I anticipation arsenic galore radical arsenic imaginable volition articulation this initiative."

It is the latest successful a agelong enactment of Rudiger's charitable endeavours.

The ex-Chelsea man, whose parents were calved successful Sierra Leone, flew backmost to the West African state in 2022 to unveil The Antonio Rudiger Foundation.

Also successful 2022, the German donated the wealth helium earned from playing successful the World Cup to wage for 11 childrens' life-changing surgeries.

Rudiger spent 5 years astatine Chelsea wherever helium played 203 games, winning the FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.

He joined Real Madrid connected a escaped transportation successful 2022 and has already won a LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, Club World Cup and 2 Uefa Super Cups.