French midfielder N’Golo Kante became a proud owner of a football club when he and his Associates completed the acquisition of Royal Excelsior Virton Football Club, a third tier of Belgian club on Thursday.
The acquisition came just days after Kante completed the move from Chelsea to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabian Pro League.
Kante’s new venture means he joins a list of five other active footballers who own or co-own a football club.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta became a board member and co-owner of Hashtag United in 2018. Hashtag United was a YouTube team playing for fun but became more organized over the years and now plays in the Isthmian League North Division, the eighth tier of English football.
Francesc Fabregas
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas joined Italian Serie B side Como from Monaco last year and later became the club’s co-owner.
Hector Bellerin
Another Spaniard on the list, Hector Bellerin became the second-biggest shareholder of Forest Green Rovers while he was still at Arsenal in 2020. The club currently competes in League One, the third tier of English football.
Eden Hazard
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Eden Hazard teamed up with friends Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow to acquire San Diego 1904 FC in 2019. The club plays in the third division of US soccer.
Wilfried Zaha
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zana and his brother Carin acquired Espoir Club D’Abengourou based in his native Ivory Coast in 2022. A few days ago, Zaha bought his second club, teaming up with British rapper Stormzy and another associate to acquire AFC Croydon. Croydon plays non-league football in England.
