UK rap star Storzmy has teamed up with Crystal Palace FC forward Wilfred Zaha to take over AFC Croydon Athletic, with both of the stars looking to leave a footballing legacy in the local area they both spent time and grew up in.
This latest move in the world of celebrity-football club crossovers has come following the news of Ryan Reynolds taking over AFC Wrexham and Michael B. Jordan gaining part-ownership of AFC Bournemouth, however, Big Mike and Zaha’s new venture feels much closer to home.
Both Zaha and Stormzy have close ties to Croydon, with the Palace forward moving to the London borough from the Ivory Coast at the age of four, while Stormzy was born and raised in the area.
Additionally, Zaha and Stormzy have also been joined by Danny Young, former Crystal Palace Head of Player Care, to create a three-person consortium that aims to leave a footprint — and overall legacy — in South London.
AFC Croydon was formed in 2012 after Croydon Athletic FC withdrew from the Isthmian League before folding. Now, the club competes in the Combined Counties League Premier South Division, the ninth tier of English football.
Commenting on the exciting new takeover, AFC Croydon Athletic said in a statement: “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.”
In other sports news, Ryan Reynolds has secured a new Formula 1 deal.
