Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna finished his visit to Saint Lucia this week after meeting with the national Under-14 boys’ team. This was the first public event since the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) announced its new brand deal with the English Premier League champions.
Sagna visited with the Arsenal commercial team, who worked with the SLTA to create photos and videos showcasing the island. His name, image, and likeness will help promote Saint Lucia in different marketing campaigns.
“I was speechless, honestly. I knew [the] Caribbean was nice, but… your country is special,” said Sagna, who is French. “The hospitality, the kindness of people, the beauty, the mix of modernisation and nature… You’re respecting your island, and I think this is nice to see in 2026. It’s not everywhere the same case, and I feel home—and this is because of you guys.”
Sagna, who played as a right back for Arsenal from 2007 to 2014, met with Saint Lucia’s growing Arsenal fan community at a special cocktail reception on Friday, July 31. Fans got to join a question-and-answer session and celebrate the island’s new partnership with one of the world’s most famous football clubs.
The destination production took place ahead of the 2026-27 English Premier League season. The SLTA says this partnership will give Saint Lucia major global exposure.
“The destination will be prominently showcased throughout Emirates Stadium and across Arsenal’s men’s and women’s football operations, in addition to a range of other high-value branding and promotional placements designed to increase Saint Lucia’s visibility among millions of football supporters worldwide,” read a release from the tourism agency.
The partnership also aims to help develop young footballers in Saint Lucia. Sagna led a coaching session at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground with the national team, which is getting ready to compete in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 Boys Challenge Series later this month in the Dominican Republic.
Sagna also shared advice from his career and encouraged the young athletes to stay disciplined, committed, and focused on their growth, emphasising that dedication is key to finding opportunities in football.
“The holistic development of our kids is vital for life lessons,” said U14 assistant coach Earl Jean. “The importance of giving our kids access to international stars, legends, and institutions is part of that development process. We must dream big, work hard, and set our goals to be successful in all we do.”
