BRIGHTON, England – June 21, 2025
In a powerful and selfless act that has captured global attention, Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma has donated the entirety of his $20 million signing bonus and sponsorship income to charities and organizations supporting the homeless.
The Japan international, known for his electrifying pace on the pitch and quiet humility off it, made the announcement via a personal statement released through the club and his social media channels on Friday morning.
“Millions of people are facing hardship every day — families without shelter, kids going hungry, veterans lacking the help they need,” Mitoma said. “I could easily be one of them. Life can change in an instant. I’m just lucky it changed in my favor.”
Mitoma’s donation will be spread across a range of local and international charities. Among the recipients are Shelter UK, Crisis, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as several grassroots organizations in Brighton, Tokyo, and underserved communities around the world.
The $20 million includes the full amount of his recent signing bonus extension with Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as earnings from sponsorship deals with major global brands. Sources close to the player say the donation had been in planning for months, with Mitoma personally involved in selecting each organization.
“This is not about headlines,” Mitoma explained. “It’s about people — real people — who are sleeping on the streets, trying to find a meal, or wondering if they’ll ever have a home again. If I can help change that even a little, I have to.”
Brighton & Hove Albion released a statement praising Mitoma’s actions and confirmed that the club would be contributing an additional donation to local housing charities in solidarity with his effort.
“Kaoru represents everything that is good about the game and about this club,” said Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler. “His talent is world-class, but his heart is even bigger.”
Fans, players, and public figures around the world have applauded the gesture, with social media hashtags like #MitomaGivesBack and #FootballWithPurpose trending globally within hours.
Mitoma ended his message with a simple reminder:
“We celebrate goals and trophies. But if I can help someone sleep safely tonight, or give a child hope, that means more than any match I’ll ever play.”
Mitoma’s act of kindness is already being called one of the most significant charitable gestures by a professional footballer in recent memory.