Footballer Josh Cavallo signs on with Ralph Lauren for global launch

One of the world’s most recognised fashion brands came knocking on Australian footballer Josh Cavallo’s door after he came out as gay.

Putting aside any negativity, the world’s first openly gay footballer says coming out has made him a better player and it is paying off commercially too.

For Josh Cavallo, the focus is on sport with the aim of one day donning the green and gold and representing Australia.

“I am extremely proud and happy to be who I am today and to see that I am contributing to changing the world for the better by showing people it is okay to be yourself,” Cavallo told The Daily Telegraph.

“I just want to be happy … that is something in the last three months that I have achieved and I want to continue that for my whole life. I’ve got a lot of making up to do in not being out for such a long time but for me I could not be happier.”

Josh Cavallo in Ralph Lauren.

Cavallo, 22, plays for Adelaide United and has represented Australia in the under-20 national team.

The Telegraph can reveal he has signed on with Ralph Lauren to launch its new global campaign for the RLX Clarus polo shirt ahead of the Australian Open, and will take part in a tennis clinic with Sam Groth on Sunday.

“I could never really be myself and live to my full potential because I had this burden on my back and now, in a short space of time, I have already improved so much as a player and developed so much. I can only imagine what it is going to be like in five or six years time. I am really excited to see what the next chapter is for me in the world of football.”

Cavallo came out as gay on Instagram in October, making international headlines due to the fact so few athletes are out and earning the praise of celebrities and leaders across the globe including Sam Smith and Ellen DeGeneres.

This week though, Cavallo spoke out on social media with police investigating death threats against the sportsman following homophobic slurs being hurled at him during the Adelaide A-League Men v Melbourne Victory game. Witnesses claimed some Victory fans sang, ‘if you want to stay alive, go home gypsy’ to Cavallo, as well as yelling other homophobic slurs.

Cavallo of Adelaide United in action during the A-League. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

While not able to comment on the incident due to the police investigation, Cavallo has chosen to focus on the positive responses he has received.

“It warms my heart,” he said. “I am hearing from people of all ages – grandparents, adults, teenagers – everyone is struggling with their own things and so for me to get messages like that and the positive reinforcement, it is really touching to have people say you are the reason that they are still living today. That stuff makes me very emotional and very proud to do what I did.”

One of the major fears for athletes in coming out has been that they would not score ambassadorships or endorsements. Cavallo has however proved that wrong by signing on as part of the Ralph Lauren ‘family’.

“What makes me so honoured to team up with Ralph Lauren are the values that this brand strives to be,” he said. “Ralph Lauren strives for diversity, inclusion and respect for human rights across their business and in society so the connection with my coming out story and their values is something that attracted me. It doesn’t matter if you are gay or straight, black or white, they include everyone. For me it is more than a clothing brand, it is a family. I am really proud to represent them.”

The Ralph Lauren RLX Clarus is first to market with the world’s first high performance cotton fabric using recycled materials.