Aguero, Mbappe, Messi and van de Beek are all fans of the JZ Design Game Case that lets them take their games consoles on away days

Posted Wednesday, June 05, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

YOU just can't separate them from their game consoles.

Whether it's a quick go on FIFA 19 or Fortnite, footballers want their gaming fix before they take to the pitch in front of thousands of fans.

Kylian Mbappe and Benjamin Mendy are fans of the JZ Design Game Case

So, it's lucky for them, JZ Design has just the ticket to keep them plugged into their PlayStations.

The Dutch company, set up by footballer Kai Heerings, has created a portable console case that allows stars from the Premier League to carry on gaming.

The Game Case 2.0 lets you enjoy your PS3, PS4, Xbox One S anywhere you are, where you have power, of course.

All you have to do is slide in your game console, plug it into the various connections in the case and off you go.

Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Mendy and Donny van de Beek are all fans, and it's easy to understand why.

Coming in two different versions, a 19-inch or 24-inch full HD screen model, the robust Game Case 2.0 features high-quality speakers, a 5-metre cable, and a strong hinge for on-the-road use.

Better still, the more image-conscious footballer can even customise the design on his/hers case too.

CHELSEA GAMERS

It was Chelsea legend John Terry who first started the craze.

"The first big name was Terry," 29-year-old Heerings, a defender for Fortuna Sittard, told BBC Sport.

The Game Case lets footballers travel with their consoles on away days

"He had got our number from another player and called and wanted eight cases.

"We shipped them out, but they arrived nearly all broken. We instantly made new ones and took them to Chelsea ourselves. John had no hard feelings and was one of the nicest guys we've met.

"When we arrived at Chelsea they wouldn't let us in at first, so we handed the phone with John on the other end and we were treated like royalty."

After the Blues became JZ Design's first footballing client, they soon got a call from a famous Premier League Argentinian.

"Aguero called for two custom white Game Cases," said Heerings. "Then last year he called again to order the new model, one for himself and one was for Messi.

"We didn't know if he was joking, but it was really cool seeing the incoming money transfer state L. Messi."

BOREDOM PAYS

Heerings came up with the idea four years ago with his brother-in-law and co-owner Jens van Zonneveld, when they were travelling for a match.

He said: "It was another boring bus ride of a few hours and we chatted about the upcoming training camp, and that it sucks to bring all the separate bits and pieces for gaming and trying to hook it up to the TV in your hotel room.

"On the bus rides or on camp there is a lot of free time to kill. Jens said 'let's put some money together and see where we end up'."

And Heerings knew he was onto a winner, when he showed off a prototype to his teammates.

"My room was very crowded that camp," he said.

Ajax sensation Donny van de Beek poses with his Game Case

"With the guys knowing players in other teams and with them joining other teams, the word spread quickly.

"We received a lot of requests so we had to turn it into a legitimate business."

Having scored success off the pitch, JZ Design now work with EA Sports, who regularly order custom-made cases to celebrate game releases.

And the World Cup was also a huge success in terms of publicity for the company. when Les Bleus stars Mbappe and Mendy shared an image on Instagram posed next to their Game Case.

"A few players of the French national team got one last summer," Heerings said.

"Our clients come from a wide variety sports and public professions. But most of our clients are international football players from all over Europe."

FUTURE PLANS

Heerings is well-aware that with a career in the game being short-lived, thinking about life after football now is crucial.

That's why the Game Case could be a business to fall back on when he hangs up his boots.

He revealed: "I'm very focused on being a professional player. But at my age, you need to start thinking about the future. We'll see where the company stands when I end my career as a player.

"For now I can focus on my football career because my brother-in-law and my wife do a lot of the work. I hope that one day it will run smoothly together and that I can say goodbye to football in the right way and focus on the business."

Edin Dzeko and his teammates love playing on their consoles while travelling on club duty