Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Francesc Fabregas recently made the surprising decision to join Italian Serie B club Como 1907.
Not only as a player, Fabregas reportedly also acts as a shareholder in the club that will be trained by the Indonesian legend, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto. It is not clear what percentage of shares Fabregas owns in Como.
"He owns a part of the club, he is a shareholder. That's what Cesc wants to be involved in. He will be here longer than expected. It's very important, he feels that way, to be a part of it for the long term going forward." Dennis Wise appointed as Como's technical consultant.
Fabregas was not the first footballer to have a stake in a football club. Previously, there were already several names of players who also had shares in a football club. On average, the players who own the club's shares are in the near-retirement age or have retired.
Launching the Daily Star, here are 5 footballers who have shares in football clubs, apart from Cesc Fabregas:
1. David Beckham - Inter Miami
Inter Miami is a club founded by David Beckham in collaboration with several wealthy American businessmen. This club was founded in 2018 and in 2020 they officially became contestants of the highest soccer competition in the United States, Major League Soccer.
In addition to shareholders, Beckham acts as CEO at Inter Miami. Currently, Inter Miami is strengthened by a number of famous players such as Kieran Gibbs (ex Arsenal) and former Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus and AC Milan striker, Gonzalo Higuain.
2. Demba Ba - ASC San Diego
After hanging up his boots at the end of the 2020-2021 season, former Chelsea and Newcastle United striker Demba Ba continued his career to run a football club.
The French player is known to have bought San Diego 1904 FC, an American professional football team based in San Diego, in 2017. Backed by several team-mates such as Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye, and Moussa Sow, Ba who served as club chairman, tried running the club in 2018.
However, San Diego 1904 FC did not last long. Due to funding problems, at the end of 2021, San Diego 1904 merged with Albion SC Pros and used the name ASC San Diego. At this club, Demba Ba is still trusted as chairman or president of the club.
3. Didier Drogba - Phoenix Rising
After returning to Stamford Bridge to claim one last Premier League title with Chelsea in 2014-15, Didier Drogba is into the final season of his playing career in the United States.
There were two clubs he strengthened there, namely the Montreal Impact (MLS) and Phoenix Rising in the USL Champions (a competition under MLS). With the last club Drogba not only acted as a player, but also a shareholder.
"Happy to announce that I have signed with @PHXRIsingFC and will be part of a group of owners hoping to bring Phoenix to MLS #Drogba2PHX," the Chelsea legend tweeted in 2017, making him the first shareholder and player in football history.
Drogba only one season acting as a player and also a shareholder of the club Phoenix Rising. After not playing, the former Chelsea star is still involved in the club's administration.
4. Ronaldo - Real Valladolid and Cruzeiro
Not content with having only one football club, Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima bought boyhood club Cruzeiro after controlling a majority stake in La Liga club Real Valladolid.
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner has invested £58m to claim a 90% stake in Cruzeiro. In addition, Ronaldo is also recorded as having a 51% ownership stake in Real Valladolid which he bought in 2018 for a fee of 25 million pounds.
Prior to Cruzeiro and Real Valldolid, Ronaldo held a minority stake in NASL club Fort Lauderdale
Strikers.5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Hammarby IF
In the midst of his busy schedule of playing for the LA Galaxy on the MLS stage, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has apparently begun to plan his plans after retiring from the world of football.
In 2019, Ibra made a surprise by buying a 23.5% stake in one of the participating Swedish Premier League clubs, Hammarby IF, which was then sold by the previous owner.
The process of buying Hammarby IF shares had made many Ibra fans disappointed and angry. Because they hoped that Ibra would invest in his old club, Malmo FF, instead of a rival club.
However, Ibra did not budge and precisely continued his plan. In collaboration with a German company, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Ibra finally officially bought half of Hammarby IF's shares.
However, at this time Ibra certainly can not graze with AC Milan who will soon undergo the Italian League Serie A. Ibra is expected to be absent for half the season to undergo the recovery process after undergoing knee surgery at the end of last season.