ALBION defender Leon Balogun is giving up one per cent of his Premier League wages to help tackle social issues around the world.

The Nigerian international has joined team-mate Bruno by signing up to the Common Goal initiative.

It means the Seagulls are the only Premier League club with two players pledged to the organisation, which has raised more than £800,000 so far in less than 18 months.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, the founder member, was joined by ex-Valencia colleague Bruno a year ago in making the earnings commitment.

Now German-born Balogun has followed suit. He has become the seventh Premier League player to sign up with Bruno, Mata, Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels, Alfie Mawson (Fulham), Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester) and Isaac Christie-Davies (Liverpool).

Centre-half Balogun, 30, signed by Albion from Bundesliga club Mainz in the summer, said: “As football players, we enjoy a high place in society and we have a very important role to play because of this.

“Joining Common Goal gives me the opportunity to actively help and support people in their communities and open up doors to a better life.”

Common Goal has a team of 68 male and female players covering six continents.

Others signed up include Balogun’s international team-mate William Troost-Ekong together with female stars Tabea Kemme (Arsenal), Jane Ross (West Ham), Tessel Middag (West Ham), Siobhan Chamberlain (Manchester United) and Pauline Bremer (Manchester City).

The only UK coach is Manchester United’s Casey Stoney MBE. Hoffenheim's highly rated Julian Nagelsmann became the first coach to sign up last year.

Bruno said: “I am thrilled that Leon has been inspired by seeing what we’re achieving in Common Goal and has stepped forward to join us in helping others through football.

“I hope this will inspire more players in the Premier League, and beyond, to take the pledge.”

Common Goal is the creation of streetfootballworld, which has assembled a global network over the past 15 years of more than 120 organisations to tackle issues ranging from gender equality in India to peacebuilding in Colombia and refugee integration in Germany.