Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha and rapper Stormzy are closing in on a deal to buy non-League side AFC Croydon Athletic.
They are part of a three-man consortium, along with former Crystal Palace kit man Danny Young, that has exchanged contracts with the existing owners.
Croydon holds a close place in the trio’s hearts, with Zaha moving there from the Ivory Coast when he was four and coming through Palace’s academy. Rapper Stormzy was born and raised in Croydon.
A club statement said: “The consortium will own, operate, and develop their childhood hometown club.
“The three consortium members are excited about developing a community asset in the borough that gave them their own opportunities. They hope to take the entire community on this exciting journey with them.”
AFC Croydon Athletic compete in the Combined Counties League Premier South Division, step five of the English football pyramid.
The club was founded in 2012, after Croydon Athletic FC withdrew from the Isthmian League and later folded.
But what other football clubs are run by celebrities? Here is a round-up of famous faces at the heart of football.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — Wrexham AFC
It is fair to say Hollywood dwellers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are probably some of the most popular people in the Welsh city after they took over the football club and effectively saved its future.
The pair pulled Wrexham from the brink of administration, pumping money and sponsorship into the club. This season, they helped their return to EFL when they were promoted.
The pair’s takeover bid was successful in February 2021 and, as well as bringing the men’s team to glory, they have also pumped a whopping £50,000 into the women’s team.
The pair is often seen engaging with fans, going to the local pub, and celebrating wildly as their team scores — making them local heroes.
David Beckham — Inter Miami
As much a celebrity these days as a football legend, David Beckham may no longer be on the pitch, but he did not leave football.
The former England and Manchester United maestro now jointly owns Inter Miami, in America — and is also popular with fans, given recent signings.
David Beckham joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) as a player in the US during the final years of his playing career but when he retired from playing, invested in Inter Miami and in 2021 further increased his stake in the club.
He co-owns the club alongside Jorge and Jose Mas and finalised the buyout of Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son. He is said to have been instrumental in bringing all-time great Lionel Messi to the club as a player this summer.
Sir Elton John — Watford
The Crocodile Rock singer is not just a music lover, but a football one, too.
Elton John is known to be a big fan of Watford from childhood, and he took it one step further by putting his money where his mouth is and becoming the chairman of the club back in 1973.
The Rocketman flew the club to its first appearance in the Premier League in the early Eighties before selling the club in 1990 and concentrating on his music career.
It is now owned by Gino Pozzo, but Sir Elton remains an honorary life-president.
LeBron James — Liverpool
Basketball great LeBron James has invested his talent into the next generation of footballers, as well as other endorsements.
The Lakers star took his money north of England and became a part owner of Liverpool in 2011.
James invested in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners of Liverpool FC, in 2011, after gaining a relationship with them when they operated as his marketing agency.
As part of his marketing deal, he received a two per cent stake in the Reds.
LeBron James and Drake — AC Milan
LeBron James did not just stop at Liverpool.
Alongside US singer Drake, they became part owners of Italians AC Milan, after yet another investment in a company, RedBird Capital Partners.
RedBird Capital Partners is a private equity group that led the acquisition of the Italian giants and invested alongside Yankee Global Enterprises, the parent company of the New York Yankees baseball team, and a Los Angeles investment fund.
The ownership group completed a £1.2 billion takeover of the team in August 2022.
Will Ferrell — Los Angeles FC
The legendary comedian and actor is one of 26 who have a stake in Los Angeles FC.
He is also said to be a true blue, a massive Chelsea fan, but invested in the US team in 2016.
The club is said to be worth £4.3 billion.
Michael B Jordan — Bournemouth
American actor Michael B Jordan hit headlines when he teamed up with Premier League team Bournemouth in December 2022.
He became part of an ownership team that took over the Cherries, which was led by American businessman Bill Foley, who completed the £120 million takeover of the club in December 2022.
Jordan’s involvement in the ownership group was announced by the club at the same time.
Matthew McConaughey — Austin FC
Actor Matthew McConaughey is part owner of Austin FC, a club formed in 2018 that started to play competitively in the 2021 season.
The Wedding Planner star has been spotted at many games and was spotted last season doing his famous chest banging, made famous in The Wolf of Wall Street, to get the crowd going.
