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Football legend Eric Cantona is training for his next challenge - swimming the English channel.

The ex-Manchester United star has claimed he will take the plunge to complete the 20 mile endurance test.

Eric, 49, has made the pledge as part of an advertising campaign for Kronenbourg lager.

The former striker says he will pull on his swimsuit if 10,000 people agree the beverage is the best beer in the world.

In a video clip released today, he said: “I have an announcement to make.

"I Cantona, will swim the English channel to Britain, if you agree with me that Kronenbourg is the supreme tasting beer in the world.”

The footballer turned actor added later: “I have never turned down an opportunity to be bold and make a statement in the name of something I believe in.

"I Cantona, will swim the Channel in the only way I know best, and show the world once again that I stand up for what I believe in.”

The enigmatic ex-Old Trafford star also played for Marseille and Leeds United during his much travelled career.

A source said: “It is Eric’s ambition to swim the Channel.”

Should King Eric complete the swim, his would become one of the 1,285 successful solo swims across the Channel as recognised by the Channel Swimming Association.

The first recorded successful unaided crossing was made by Matthew Webb way back in 1875.

Webb made it from Dover to Calais in 21 hours and 45 minutes and was the only person to have completed the feat until Thomas Burgess managed it in 1911.

France's current record holder is Olympic swimmer Gilles Rondy, who made it to France in seven hours and 54 minutes.

The French average for solo swimmers currently stands at 12 hours and 43 minutes.

Top 20 solo times

Name | Route | Type | Country | Time | Year

Chad Hundeby | E-F | Solo | United States | 07:17 | 1994

Christof Wandratsch | E-F | Solo | Germany | 07:20 | 2003

David Meca | E-F | Solo | Spain | 07:22 | 2005

Penny Lee Dean | E-F | Solo | United States | 07:40 | 1978

David Meca | E-F | Solo | Spain | 07:46 | 2004

Tamara Bruce | E-F | Solo | Australia | 07:53 | 1994

Gilles Rondy | E-F | Solo | France | 07:54 | 2004

Hans Van Goor | E-F | Solo | Netherlands | 08:02 | 1995

Richard Davey | F-E | Solo | England | 08:05 | 1988

Irene Van Der Laan | E-F | Solo | Netherlands | 08:06 | 1982

Philip Rush | E-F | Solo | New Zealand | 08:11 | 1988

Gail Rice | E-F | Solo | United States | 08:12 | 1999

Paul Asmuth | E-F | Solo | United States | 08:12 | 1985

Anita Sood | E-F | Solo | India | 08:15 | 1987

Javier Gutierrez | E-F | Solo | Mexico | 08:16 | 1999

John Van Wisse | E-F | Solo | Australia | 08:17 | 1994

Stephane Lecat | E-F | Solo | France | 08:19 | 2003

Monique Wildschut | E-F | Solo | Netherlands | 08:19 | 1984

Eric Johnson | F-E | Solo | United States | 08:20 | 1985

PH Mullen | E-F | Solo | United States | 08:26 | 1995

You can follow Cantona’s #LeBigSwim on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter at @Kronenbourg1664.