Ryan Reynold's Aviation American Gin to sponsor Wrexham AFC

'A Canadian actor sponsors a Welsh team with American made gin', it sounds like the start of a cheesy stand-up joke but it is simply the description of what's been happening lately at Aviation American Gin, co-owned by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, who's just confirmed that the gin brand will become Wrexham AFC's sleeve sponsor for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 campaigns.

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Ryan Reynolds actually co-owns Wrexham AFC along with fellow Hollywood actor and director Rob McElhenney (Fargo, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), so this might be start of a long-lasting collaboration. In fact, to celebrate the deal, Aviation American released a limited edition bottle design to celebrate Reynold's and McElhenney’s takeover of the North Wales-based club back in February 2021.

Wrexham FC executive director Humphrey Ker said they're "absolutely delighted to see Aviation American Gin on the club’s senior shirts and training wear for next season. With Aviation Gin as a fellow supporter, Wrexham AFC fans can expect even more fun during the season".

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The sponsor will only appear in the men's and women's team, but it will not appear on junior kits or in areas where younger supporters congregate at the racecourse ground because, as Ker said, Aviation and Wrexham are "conscious of our roles in the community and are advocates of promoting responsible drinking which we will use our partnership to highlight".

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 2006, Aviation American Gin was purchased by Diageo in 2020 in a deal worth around $610m. Ryan Reynolds acquired a stake in the brand in 2018 and retained his role as brand ambassador - and his stake - after Diageo's acquisition.