Grime artist Stormzy and Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha are set to become the latest celebrities to own a non-league football team.
They are part of a three-man consortium who will own AFC Croydon Athletic, a south London side who play in the ninth-tier of English football.
The club announced contracts had been exchanged with the existing owners, and that the consortium will “own, operate and develop their childhood hometown football club”.
A statement added: “Whilst completion is subject to legislative and governance procedures, 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.”
They will be hoping to promote the team from the Combined Counties League Premier Division South when the season starts later this summer.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Read more:
Lewis Capaldi announces break after emotional Glastonbury set
Meghan ‘not a great talent’, says top Hollywood agent
Zaha, 30, was born in Ivory Coast but raised in the borough, and is involved in community projects in the area through his foundation and academy.
He tweeted: “Let the journey begin.”
Stormzy, 29, the award-winning rapper known for tracks such as Shut Up and Vossi Bop, also hails from the area.
They will be joined by former Crystal Palace head of player care Danny Young.
The trio continue the recent trend of celebrities buying football clubs in England – joining the likes of Michael B Jordan and Ryan Reynolds.
Jordan, star of the Creed films, is a part owner of AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, while Reynolds and Rob McElhenney own Wrexham, which has just been promoted to the football league.
The Hollywood actors bought the club in November 2020.
Reynolds and McElhenney also invested in Formula One team Alpine Racing this week.
