Wayne Rooney has become a businessman after investing in Swellaway, a new business which has developed a treatment for muscle strains.
Swellaway, which was founded in Sheffield but has recently relocated to Lymm, Cheshire, is 12.35per-cent owned by the Manchester United striker while Coleen, his wife has a five-per-cent stake in the company, which has developed a patented medical device designed to treat injuries in humans and animals.
The product was designed by Richard Mills, and will initially be launched to the equine market and then shortly afterwards to humans. It works by applying cooling, heating and compression.
Swellaway aims to prevent injuries, reduces inflammation and aids rehabilitation all in one controllable electronic wireless device. Rooney is understood to have tried the device and was so impressed that he decided to invest.
Business development director Mills said: “By undertaking thorough market research, including beta product development, surveys and product testing, we’ve been able to identify a massive gap in the market.
“Having secured backing from Manchester-based venture capitalist Acceleris Capital and other investors including Wayne Rooney, we’re now ready to start commercialising this innovative product and take it to market.”