Tag: Signing Sessions

Icons and Diego: The Story of Maradona’s Exclusive Signing Partner

October 2, 2026
From Our CEO Uncategorized

Forty years after Mexico 1986, Diego Maradona is still the player every great is measured against. Icons.com was his worldwide exclusive signing partner; the last contract Diego ever signed was with us, and today we still hold the exclusive licence to sell his signed memorabilia. This is the story behind our Diego Maradona signed memorabilia.

Icons and Diego

Diego Maradona and Edward Freedman

Our relationship with Diego ran for almost two decades. When our CEO Dan Jamieson and our late chairman Edward Freedman met him in Buenos Aires in May 2010, Icons.com already held a worldwide exclusive signing contract with him.

That first meeting is part of Icons history. Late one night, the call came, “Diego will see you now”, and the team grabbed every item they could carry and headed to, of all places, his mum’s house. He was manager of Argentina at the time, weeks away from taking Lionel Messi to the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, and he even added a dedication for Wayne Rooney. Two more sessions followed after he moved to Dubai, where Dan was a guest at Diego’s house.

It was never simple. One session took a full week because Diego had let his whole team go and wasn’t seeing anyone. A later attempt to bring him back left us holding boxes of unsigned shirts, boots, and photos for three years. We waited.

The last contract

In July 2020, at the end of a 20-month negotiation, Diego re-signed a worldwide exclusive contract with Icons.com. The world was in lockdown, and we couldn’t be in the room, as we usually are, so the shirts, boots, photos and footballs were shipped directly to him. On 5 August 2020, the confirmation arrived: photos and videos of Diego signing our products, cigar in hand.

A second shipment followed in September. After his brain surgery that November, Diego spent part of his rehabilitation signing the rest of our products. He died on 25 November 2020, aged 60, with the work all but finished.

“We must be proud that it was the last contract he signed, and that he worked on it to the end.”
Sport & Life, Diego’s agents

Read Dan’s full account in From Our CEO: The Inside Story of Diego & Icons, or browse the Diego Maradona signed collection.

Mexico 1986, forty years on

This summer marked forty years since Diego captained Argentina to the FIFA World Cup™ in Mexico. Against England in the quarter-final at the Azteca, he scored twice in four minutes, the second a solo run later voted FIFA’s Goal of the Century. Two more followed against Belgium in the semi-final, and he set up Jorge Burruchaga’s winner in the 3-2 final against West Germany. He left with the Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament.

At club level, he made Napoli champions of Italy twice, in 1987 and 1990, and won the UEFA Cup in 1989, after spells at Boca Juniors and Barcelona. His standard still holds: in July, Jude Bellingham became the first player since Diego in 1986 to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout matches.

Proof in every piece

Icons.com holds the exclusive licence to sell Diego Maradona signed memorabilia. Every Maradona piece on Icons.com is hand-signed by Diego Maradona and comes with a certificate of authenticity from Icons.com and our lifetime guarantee. Our 2020 signings were recorded in photos and video of Diego at work.

“Icons is the only place to buy genuine products hand-signed by Diego.”
Dan Jamieson, CEO of Icons.com

The collection

Available now:

As the Home of Messi signed memorabilia, we’ve also brought Argentina’s two World Cup-winning captains together in one piece: the Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi official FIFA World Cup™ dual frame.

Explore the full Diego Maradona signed collection.

We keep memorabilia to stay close to the people whose talent made us love the game. Bringing Diego closer to his fans, from Buenos Aires to Naples and everywhere in between, remains one of the proudest parts of our story.

Official. Authentic. Exclusive.


Icons and Jude: Inside Bellingham’s First Exclusive Signing

Jude Bellingham Icons
September 23, 2026
Announcements

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup™, Jude Bellingham signed a new memorabilia partnership with Icons.com. Days later, he began the tournament of his life, scoring seven goals and winning the Bronze Boot. The pieces he signed for us in Madrid, at the first signing session of his career, are available now on Icons.com and nowhere else.

Icons and Jude

Announced in June, ahead of the tournament, the partnership makes Icons.com the exclusive home of official hand-signed Jude Bellingham memorabilia. It puts him alongside Lionel Messi at the heart of Icons: two generations of the game, both signing exclusively with us.

“I’m pleased to partner exclusively with Icons.com ahead of such a huge moment in my career. Connecting with fans around the world is incredibly important to me, and this partnership gives supporters the chance to own authentic pieces that celebrate some special memories.”
Jude Bellingham

“Jude is one of the defining footballers of his generation. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Icons family and look forward to bringing fans exclusive products during the FIFA World Cup 2026 and beyond.”
Dan Jamieson, CEO of Icons.com

The first signing

By the time the deal was announced, Jude had already sat down with us. On 22 May 2026, at a private signing session in Madrid, he held the first signing session of his career. With the World Cup on the horizon, England came first: 2026 home and away shirts and official FIFA World Cup™ adidas Predator boots. He also signed UEFA Champions League footballs and Real Madrid home shirts from 2023-24 and 2024-25, his first two seasons at the club.

Proof in every piece

Every item is hand-signed by Jude Bellingham and TripleLock™ authenticated, our authentication system developed with Crane Authentication, the world leader in brand protection. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity from Icons.com carrying a photo of the moment it was signed, stamped with the date and location, plus our lifetime guarantee.

A tamper-proof hologram on the item matches the one on its certificate, and an encrypted NFC tag lets you tap your phone to see its full authentication record. Three independent checks, linking the piece, the certificate, and the record for life.

Browse the Jude Bellingham signed collection.

From Birmingham to the Bernabéu

Bellingham made his Birmingham City debut at 16, and the club retired his number 22 shirt when he left for Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Three seasons in Germany ended with the Bundesliga Player of the Season award, and in June 2023 Real Madrid brought him to Spain.

He won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in his first season at the club, and was named La Liga Player of the Season. The Ballon d’Or’s Kopa Trophy followed in 2023. For England, his stoppage-time overhead kick against Slovakia at UEFA EURO 2024 is already one of the great Three Lions moments.

At 23, he is the player Real Madrid and England build around, and a modern Icon of the game still writing his story.

A summer to remember

Bellingham scored in the group stage wins over Croatia and Panama, then twice against Mexico and twice more against Norway, becoming the first player to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout matches since Diego Maradona in 1986.

The semi-final brought England face to face with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who came from behind to win 2-1 in Atlanta. Bellingham added his seventh goal in the third-place win over France, as England finished third, their best World Cup for 60 years.

He left North America with the Bronze Boot and a place in the FIFA Dream XI, and along the way became the youngest England men’s player to win 50 caps. Seven goals, more than any Three Lions player has ever scored at a major tournament.

As the Home of Messi-signed memorabilia and Jude’s exclusive signing partner, we’ve brought our two partners together in one piece: the Messi and Bellingham official FIFA World Cup™ dual frame.

The collection

Signed at the Madrid session, highlights include:

Explore more from England and Real Madrid, or the full Jude Bellingham signed collection.

Official. Authentic. Exclusive.


The Road to B Corp Status

The Road To B Corp Status
December 30, 2025
From Our CEO

The Road to B Corp Status: Icons Shop Ltd’s 10-Step Journey Toward Certified Sustainability
By Dan Jamieson, CEO

When we started Icons.com, our mission was to connect fans with authentic pieces of football history. But as we’ve grown, so has our responsibility to the communities and planet that make this beautiful game possible.

That’s why we’ve embarked on one of our most ambitious goals yet: achieving B Corp certification.

B Corp status isn’t just a logo; it’s one of the world’s most rigorous certifications for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Only companies that meet the highest verified standards earn it.

Our journey hasn’t been easy. From overhauling our supply chain and packaging to restructuring governance and employee wellbeing programs, we’ve transformed how we operate at every level. We’ve audited our carbon footprint, introduced community initiatives supporting grassroots football, and committed to full transparency in our impact reporting.

In the video above, I walk through all 10 steps we’ve taken, the challenges we faced, the changes we made, and why this matters for a sports memorabilia company.

Because if we’re going to profit from the sport that brings millions together, we have an obligation to operate with integrity, give back to communities, and protect the planet for future generations.

Watch the full journey above, and join us as we work toward certification.

For any enquiries or updates with B Corp, please contact customersupport@icons.com


The Lengths We Go To: Why Icons Is Different

November 25, 2025
Collector's Club Why We Love

At Icons, we don’t just sell signed memorabilia; we deliver experiences that match the magnitude of the names on our products. When you’re dealing with pieces signed by the world’s greatest athletes, standard service isn’t an option.

Recently, our team embarked on a 36-hour journey to hand-deliver a collection of extraordinary pieces to a client internationally: a Diego Maradona & Lionel Messi Signed Argentina Shirts In Classic Dual Frame, a Sir David Beckham & Lionel Messi Dual Front Signed Inter Miami CF 2024-25 Home Shirt In Hero Frame, and a Lionel Messi & Lamine Yamal Signed Argentina and Spain Shirts In Classic Dual Frame.

Rather than risk damage through traditional shipping channels, we flew out personally, professionally framed the pieces on-site to guarantee perfect presentation, and delivered them directly into the client’s hands.

Was it necessary? Absolutely.
Was it expected? Perhaps not.

But it’s exactly this level of commitment that separates Icons from everyone else in the industry.

Why We Do Things Differently

Every piece of memorabilia we authenticate carries the signature of an Icon, athletes who’ve dedicated their lives to being the absolute best at what they do. Our service philosophy is no different. We’re not satisfied with “good enough” when it comes to protecting and presenting these pieces.

When you’re handling dual-signed frames featuring Messi alongside Maradona, arguably the two greatest players ever to grace a football pitch, or a shirt bearing the signatures of Beckham and Messi, the stakes are too high to leave anything to chance.

For high-value collections and discerning clients, our VIP Club Service provides a completely tailored experience:

  • Hand-picked product curation based on your specific interests and collection goals
  • Personal consultation with our expert team
  • Premium framing and presentation options
  • White-glove delivery service, including international hand delivery when required
  • Exclusive access to limited edition releases and one-of-one pieces

Best-in-Class, Because Anything Less Isn’t Good Enough

While other companies see memorabilia as products to ship, we see them as investments, heirlooms, and pieces of sporting history that deserve to be treated with the utmost care.

From our revolutionary TripleLock™ authentication technology, featuring individual signing photos, NFC verification, and tamper-proof holograms, to our willingness to fly across the world to ensure perfect delivery, every detail matters.

Because when you’re trusted with signatures from Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona, Beckham, and football’s greatest Icons, anything less than world-class service simply isn’t an option.

Interested in our VIP Service?

Whether you’re building a collection, searching for that one perfect piece, or require white-glove service for high-value memorabilia, our team is here to help.

Contact us today to discuss how we can create a tailored experience for you.


Tennis Sensation Carlos Alcaraz Serves Up Signatures at Exclusive Session!

November 16, 2023
Announcements

Icons.com is delighted to announce that two-time major winning tennis star Carlos Alcaraz put pen to product in his first ever signing session, an exclusive with the Icons.com signing team.

The Icons.com team headed out to Murcia in Spain on November 6th for the first of what we hope will be many signing sessions with the 2023 men’s singles Wimbledon winner.

Garnering attention in 2019 after winning three consecutive ITF Futures tournaments, Alcaraz went on to become the youngest year-end number one in the history of the ATP computerised rankings, aged just 19.

His breakthrough continued in 2022, where he secured his first ATP Tour title at the Rio Open, defeating several seasoned opponents along the way. Alcaraz continued to impress, and in 2023 he won the world-famous men’s singles Wimbledon title, defeating one of the sport’s all-time greats in Novak Djokovic.

There’s no doubt Alcaraz will continue to shine bright in the world of tennis. Icons.com are extremely proud to have held the first of many exclusive signings with this ace Spaniard, serving up a plethora of signed incredible memorabilia for his many fans around the world.

Each and every item of Alcaraz signed memorabilia from Icons.com comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity, which serves as your proof that the Argentine’s signature is 100% authentic and was genuinely signed by the man himself during this private signing session, organised and conducted by our dedicated signing team.

The full range of Alcaraz signed memorabilia is available to buy from Icons.com right now.

For the latest on who we sign with next, as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more, make sure you’re subscribed to the Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.


FIFA World Cup Hero Emi Martinez signs with Icons.com!

March 10, 2023
Signing Sessions

Highly-decorated FIFA World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez put pen to product at our latest signing session, adding to the already star-studded list of footballing heroes to sign for Icons.com.

The Icons signing team held a private session with Martinez in England’s city of Birmingham on March 7th. The Argentina and Aston Villa shot-stopper signed a number of items during our time with him, including shirts, gloves and photos.

The signing comes off the back of a highly successful few years for the Argentine, who lifted the CONMEBOL Copa America in 2021 and followed that with an unforgettable FIFA World Cup triumph beside Icons favourite Lionel Messi.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper will be long remembered for his heroics against France in the showpiece Doha final. He made a number of important saves and earned the prestigious Golden Glove award as the best goalkeeper at the tournament.

Martinez is currently plying his trade at former European champions Aston Villa and will be hoping to help the Midlands club return to continental football in the near future – it’s safe to say Villa are in good hands!

Each and every item of Martinez signed memorabilia from Icons.com comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity, which serves as your proof that the Argentine’s signature is 100% authentic and was genuinely signed by the man himself during this private signing session, organised and conducted by our dedicated signing team.

The full range of Martinez signed memorabilia is available to buy from Icons.com right now.

For the latest on who we sign with next, as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more, make sure you’re subscribed to the Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.


FC Barcelona and Spain Legend Sergio Busquets Signs For Icons!

February 3, 2023
Signing Sessions

With over 700 appearances for FC Barcelona, midfield master Sergio Busquets is rightly regarded as one of the Catalan club’s greatest modern servants and a player who has won it all during a legendary career.

And, on February 3rd, at an undisclosed location in Barcelona, the iconic figure that is Busquets signed memorabilia for Icons for the first time, putting his autograph to our excellent range of items that are sure to be a hit with his many fans around the world.

Sergio Busquets signs for Icons.com, Barcelona, Spain, February 2023.

The midfielder and his FC Barcelona teammates are enjoying life under fellow Icons signee Xavi this season, topping La Liga in their quest to wrestle the title back from rivals Real Madrid.

If Busquets and company do win La Liga this season it will be the midfielder’s ninth Spanish title, an honour to go with his three UEFA Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Reys, three FIFA Club World Cups and the small matter of his UEFA EURO 2012 and 2010 FIFA World Cup winner’s medals.

Indeed, Busquets has forged a supremely successful career from his position in defensive midfield where he has served FC Barcelona and Spain with near-perfect performances spanning the course of nearly two decades.

Celebrating his immense career, our collection of items, available now on Icons.com, comprises signed shirts, photos, balls and captain’s armbands.

Each and every item of Busquets signed memorabilia from Icons.com comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity, which serves as your proof that the Spaniard’s signature is 100% authentic and was genuinely signed by the man himself during this private signing session, organised and conducted by our dedicated signing team.

The full range of Busquets signed memorabilia is available to buy from Icons.com right now.

For the latest on who we sign with next, as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more, make sure you’re subscribed to the Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.


Icons Signs With FC Barcelona Star Raphinha!

January 27, 2023
Signing Sessions

On January 27th, Icons were excited to add a new name to our ever-growing list of superstar footballers when, at an undisclosed location in Barcelona, Raphinha met our team for a private signing session!

The tricky winger was a sensation in the Premier League for Leeds United before his move to FC Barcelona in July 2022 where he continues to wow fans with his cannot-be-stopped playing style.

Raphinha signs for Icons.com, Barcelona, Spain, 27th January 2023.

The mercurial talent represented Brazil at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar having burst on to the European football scene with a string of impressive performances on the biggest stages.

Raphinha signed FC Barcelona shirts and photos, as well as Brazil and Leeds United items, plus Adidas boots and more – all of which are available in a wide range of stunning presentation and framing options.

Each and every item of Raphinha signed memorabilia from Icons.com comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity, which serves as your proof that the Brazilian’s signature is 100% authentic and was genuinely signed by the man himself during this private signing session, organised and conducted by our dedicated signing team.

The full range of Raphinha signed memorabilia is available to buy from Icons.com right now.

For the latest on who we sign with next, as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more, make sure you’re subscribed to the Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.