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In an official statement, AFC Croydon announced, "The consortium will own, operate, and develop their childhood hometown football club."
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha and renowned rapper Stormzy have made headlines with their joint venture to purchase non-league club AFC Croydon.
The duo, both hailing from the South London borough, have teamed up with former Palace head of player care Danny Young to form a consortium aimed at acquiring and developing their childhood hometown football club.
AFC Croydon currently competes in the ninth tier of English football, and this exciting agreement signifies a new chapter for the club.
In an official statement, AFC Croydon announced, "The consortium will own, operate, and develop their childhood hometown football club."
While the completion of the deal is subject to regulatory and governance procedures, the three consortium members are eager to embark on this journey of transforming a community asset in the borough that played a significant role in shaping their own opportunities.
Their vision is to involve the entire community in this thrilling endeavor.
Established in 2012 after the unfortunate demise of Croydon Athletic, AFC Croydon has now found new hope and backing from Zaha, Stormzy, and Young.
Wilfried Zaha, 30, a native of the Ivory Coast, has a strong commitment to community projects and is the founder of the WZ Academy.
Beginning his career at Crystal Palace, he later joined Manchester United in 2013. After a loan spell at Cardiff, Zaha returned to Palace on a season-long loan in August 2014, and the move was eventually made permanent in February 2015.
Zaha earned two caps for England before switching his footballing allegiance to the Ivory Coast, where he has since represented his birth country 31 times.
With his contract at Selhurst Park set to expire at the end of the month, Zaha has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, fueling speculation about his future.
Taking to social media after the announcement, Zaha expressed his excitement, tweeting, "May the journey begin."
The acquisition of AFC Croydon presents a unique opportunity for Zaha to make a lasting impact on the local community that has played a significant role in his own development.
Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Owuo Jr, is a highly successful musician with three number one albums and three Brit Awards to his name.
The 29-year-old Manchester United fan took on the role of England manager at Soccer Aid 2023, showcasing his passion for the beautiful game beyond the recording studio.
Now, Stormzy's involvement in the acquisition of AFC Croydon demonstrates his commitment to supporting grassroots football and providing opportunities for young talents in his hometown.
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