Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has added a minority stake in Australian club Melbourne Victory to his footballing portfolio, purchasing 19.1% of the A-League outfit.
Already possessing a minority share in Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in addition to his chairmanship of Brighton, Bloom will have the ability to grow his stake in Victory in the years ahead.
Taking over as chairman of Brighton in 2009, Bloom has helped lead his boyhood club to the Premier League and establish a reputation as one of Europe's shrewdest teams through its adept use of analytics. Reports have also linked him with a potential investment in Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts.
A professional poker player who built his wealth in sports betting, the 54-year-old was in attendance at this year's Christmas Derby between Victory and their City Football Group-owned rivals Melbourne City. His wife, Linda, was born in Melbourne and he and his family regularly visit Australia.
"As a passionate football supporter, I am excited to have the opportunity to become a shareholder in Melbourne Victory, one of the most successful clubs in A-League history," Bloom said in a statement.
"My investment reflects my confidence in the club's vision and leadership, and I see tremendous potential in the club for further growth and success, both on and off the pitch.
"My wife is from Australia and, whenever possible, the two of us and our children enjoy spending time there each year. I am especially delighted that we now have a 'home club' in Australia to support.
"The club's leadership know that I am available to them whenever needed to help in driving continued progress and success for Melbourne Victory."
Bloom's arrival comes a week after Victory shed the last of its ties to collapsed investment firm and one-time potential Everton owners 777 Partners, announcing that it had reached an agreement with creditors A-Cap to complete its divestment from the 19.9% stake it held in the club.
While Bloom's investment in Victory's was completed following their agreement with A-Cap, the club's managing director Caroline Carnegie told ESPN that his arrival represented a separate transaction, with the shares he was acquiring issued by the club rather than purchased from an existing shareholder.
Not expected to take on a hands-on role with Victory, Bloom's shares will not carry the same "priority status" that gave 777 the ability to take on up to 70% stake in Victory for investments of up to AU$30, as well depart while being refunded any additional investment above their initial stake at a compounding interest of 10% per year.
"Tony's investment is 19.1%, making him a minority, but significant, shareholder," Carnegie told ESPN. "Tony will of course have a voice within the club but will not have controlling interest.
"Tony's involvement in the club provides us with the opportunity to engage with an extensive network of individuals and organizations in global football who can and will assist the club with our growth and legacy goals when it makes sense to do so.
"We are fortunate to have such a network available to work alongside our leadership team as we build the future of this club."
The second-most successful club in the 20-year history of the A-League, Victory have won four A-League Men titles, three Premiers' Plates and two Australia Cups since their 2005 founding, while their women's side are three-time A-League Women champions and one-time premiers. Its men's side, however, hasn't won silverware since its 2018 title and hasn't finished atop the table since 2015.
In addition to providing the club with "financial and other support," per Carnegie, Bloom's arrival has seen Victory's A-League Men and senior academy programs partner with the entrepreneur's analytics firm Jamestown Analytics, who also provides data services to Brighton, Hearts, Union St.-Gilloise and Serie A side Como.
"Through our engagement with Tony, we have experienced his passion for football and his genuine excitement about being involved with a new club and helping it to achieve success," Carnegie told ESPN. "Having family from Melbourne, and with the club's history, Melbourne Victory was a natural fit for Tony.
"The recent partnership between the club and Jamestown Analytics will assist with global recruiting and transfers, not to mention building pathways for young players
"As a club, our vision doesn't change. While we are fortunate to now have access to Tony's wealth of knowledge and experience, our goals for growth and success remain the same.
"Melbourne Victory has an extremely passionate fan base, which now extends to Tony himself."