Robin van Persie is refusing to cash in on his position as the most popular player in the Premier League.

The Holland striker has rejected lucrative commercial ­offers worth millions in the weeks since his 30 goals helped Manchester United win back the title.

Van Persie, who now sells more football shirts in the UK than any other footballer, was the prime target of Asian marketing men ­during ­Holland’s post-season tour of the Far East.

The 29-year-old was offered more than five sponsorship deals each worth seven-figures – only to turn them all down to concentrate on his playing career.

Van Persie explained: “I have discovered that I have now reached a new stage of my career. I have just spent almost two weeks in Asia with the Holland national team and I have been absolutely amazed by the level of my own popularity over there. I have been getting some ­incredible commercial offers, but I have decided to skip them all.

“I looked at my schedule of ­travelling and the amount of ­matches I have to play and decided my football and my fitness comes first, not money. After the Asia tour with Holland, I will have to travel again to Asia and Australia with Manchester United next month.
Number two: Steven Gerrard is also a popular name to have on the back of a shirt (
Image:
Stu Forster)

“In between, big companies ­wanted me to spend more time in Thailand, Malaysia, China and a few more countries.

“The opportunities for me were incredible. But I feel I need every moment to rest so I can peak again as a player in the new season.

“I do admit that I gave it a bit of thought for a moment, but when I saw the schedule for the next few months and new season, ending with the World Cup, I decided to skip all the commercial avenues.’’

Van Persie’s popularity has ­exploded in the year since he joined United from Arsenal in a £24million deal.

More than 25 per cent of all ­personalised shirts now sold in the UK are emblazoned with Van ­Persie’s name and number.

Yet Van Persie was still stunned in the Far East, when he was mobbed by thousands of fans.

Police came to his rescue when he tried to get off the team bus in ­Jakarta and Peking.

Van Persie said: “The boys at United warned me it would be hectic for me. It is part of being a Manchester United player."

Top ten UK shirt sales

Van Persie (Man Utd) 25.4%

Gerrard (L’pool) 8.2%

Rooney (Man Utd) 6%

Kagawa (Man Utd) 5.8%

Suarez (L’pool) 3.6%

Hazard (Chelsea) 3.1%

Scholes (Man Utd) 2.7%

Torres (Chelsea) 2.5%

Aguero (Man City) 2.2%

Podolski (Arsenal) 2.1%