Eniola Aluko, a former professional footballer renowned for her tenure with the England national team, has broken barriers by becoming the first black woman to own a football club in Italy.
The British-Nigerian athlete has acquired an ownership stake in FC Como, a women’s football team based in Italy.
Aluko’s milestone achievement comes through her involvement with Mercury 13, an investment group dedicated to acquiring women’s football clubs across Europe and Latin America.
The group recently concluded a groundbreaking deal worth US$100 million, securing a controlling stake in FC Como, which currently competes in Italy’s prestigious Serie A.
Following a successful career on the pitch, including stints with prominent clubs like Chelsea and Juventus, the 37-year-old Aluko transitioned into football broadcasting and later ventured into football executive roles.
Her ascent to club ownership marks a significant moment not only for her personally but also for diversity and representation within the realm of football ownership and management.
Aluko’s entry into club ownership displays a growing trend of former players and industry professionals taking on leadership roles within football clubs, signaling a shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity within the sport’s governance structures.
INN-HOUSE☆ 