Mongkok retailer ahead of the field

The first store selling official European soccer club merchandise opened last Thursday in another sign of the growing passion for the beautiful game.

Free Kick has official key rings, mugs and travel bags carrying the crests of top English and European sides. The shop, in Ginza Plaza, Mongkok, boasts that the merchandise it offers - including branded items from Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus and Ajax - is normally only available in club stores or on official websites.

Its range includes autographed team strips. The shop replaces an old store of the same name that specialised in team strips but found the market becoming saturated with outlets all selling the same thing.