LORIENT, France (AP) - The French Ligue 1 club FC Lorient has announced that the Black Knight Football Club (BKFC) group has become its sole shareholder as of Wednesday. This significant move comes after BKFC, which is fronted by American businessman Bill Foley, has been involved with Lorient since acquiring a minority interest in January 2023 as part of their multi-club ownership strategy.
BKFC is known for its diverse portfolio in football, owning clubs across various leagues around the world. In addition to FC Lorient and the newly acquired majority stake, the group also holds ownership of the Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, Portuguese club Moreirense FC, and Auckland FC in New Zealand. This international footprint indicates BKFC's strategic vision for expanding its impact on the global football landscape.
In a statement released by Lorient, the club announced that the decision to fully hand over ownership to BKFC is part of a strategic agreement aimed at boosting the long-term development of FC Lorient in an increasingly competitive football environment. The club is currently positioned ninth in Ligue 1, reflecting its status in one of Europe’s top leagues after completing 19 matches this season.
The financial backing from BKFC is substantial, with the group bringing more than $550 million in equity to FC Lorient. This investment is expected to enhance the club’s resources, potentially improving player acquisitions, training facilities, and overall club operations to foster future success on the field.
Despite the ownership change, FC Lorient’s president, Loïc Fery, will retain his position with the club and become a shareholder in BKFC alongside Foley. This move appears to ensure continuity in leadership while leveraging Foley's expertise and resources to support Lorient’s aspirations. In a statement, Foley expressed enthusiasm about the next steps for FC Lorient, highlighting the importance of maintaining the excitement and support of the club's loyal fanbase.
The acquisition by BKFC marks a new chapter for FC Lorient, signaling ambitions to elevate the club's standing in Ligue 1 and potentially on the European stage as well. Given the increasing competitiveness of football both in domestic leagues and international tournaments, the partnership with BKFC could provide the necessary impetus for Lorient to aim for higher achievements in the coming years.
Overall, this development underscores a growing trend in football where multi-club ownership models are gaining traction, allowing investors and consortiums to leverage resources across different clubs and continents. FC Lorient now stands at the forefront of this model, and all eyes will be on the club's progress as they move forward under the full ownership of Black Knight Football Club.
