Hope Solo Signs as New Ambassador for Seiko Watches

BRIERLEY HILL, England, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Star of US National Team Becomes Ambassador for Top Watchmaker

One of the world's most popular brands of watches, the Tokyo- based company of Seiko Watches, has added Hope Solo, the goalkeeper of the USA women's soccer team to its growing list of ambassadors.  Solo is considered to be one of the best players in the female sport.

The 30-year-old, Washington state born 'keeper current plays for local side Seattle Sounders Women as part of the W-League but has also played for a number of teams in Europe.

Solo has enjoyed great success within her sport including the award of Golden Glove at last year's World Cup.  Her international career began in April 2000. By 2007 she was the starting goalkeeper for her national side in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. The team reached the semi finals before losing against Brazil.  She returned to international competition during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing when she helped the US avenge the previous defeat, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final game and gaining a gold medal.

The star keeper also took part in the 2011 Women's World Cup in spite of a shoulder injury that had side-lined her during much of the qualification process.  She claimed her hundredth international cap during the semi-final win over France before eventually losing to Japan during a penalty shootout.

The new Seiko Watches ambassador has also made a name for herself outside of women's soccer taking part in the TV show 'Dancing with the Stars'.  The programme is a remake of the popular UK show Strictly Come Dancing. The Seiko Watches fan stayed in the elimination based series for 9 weeks of its 10 week run substantially improving her name recognition amongst American audiences.  

Solo joins her fellow American, the L.A. Galaxy star Landon Donovan, as an ambassador of the Japanese timepiece brand. It has not yet been announced when her own watches will launch, but the sportswoman is expected to be used in support of the wider Sportura range from autumn 2012.  The Hope Solo special edition watches are anticipated to be available at retailers including The Watch Hut (http://www.thewatchhut.co.uk) shortly after release.

Note to editors

1. The Watch Hut is an online trading arm of DM London Ltd, specialising in designer and fashion watches.  The site has been active since 2005 and has become one of the leading names in online watch retail in the United Kingdom. The site is an authorised distributor for all of the items its offers for sale meaning buyers obtain a genuine, manufacturer guaranteed product every time.

2. Seiko Watches were established in 1881 in Tokyo, Japan. It became the first company in the world to offer a commercially available quartz watch in 1969. Today it is one of the leading manufacturers of watches featuring quartz movements.