Ed Sheeran has taken a minority stake in Ipswich Town, becoming the latest big-name star to invest in a football team.
Born in West Yorkshire but raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, Sheeran is a lifelong fan of the Tractor Boys, who have been the shirt sponsor of both the men’s and women’s teams since 2021. The 33-year-old Sheeran’s stake in the Premier League club through his Game Changer 20 companies totals 1.4% but he will not be a voting shareholder or director.
As part of the deal, Sheeran will have long-term use of the executive box at Portman Road, which he has customised ahead of the 2024-25 season. “I’m really pleased to be able to buy a small stake in my hometown football club,” Sheeran told the Ipswich website.
“It’s every football fan’s dream to become the owner of the club they support and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.
“I’ve lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and although I’ve travelled the world and can sometimes feel like an outsider in bigger cities, in Suffolk and Ipswich I’ve always felt part of the community and protected.
“This is just me putting some money into the club I love and them giving it back so please don’t blame me for my signing suggestions or playing strategy!”
Sheeran is the latest superstar to raise the profile of a little-known team. Celebrity chef Delia Smith has been heavily involved with Ipswich’s rivals Norwich City for over 20 years. Elton John was chairman of Watford Football Club from 1976 to 2002, the team he followed since he was seven years old. In 2021, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney of It’s Sunny in Philadelphia fame completed a full buyout of Wrexham Football Club.
Ipswich were promoted from the Championship and are back in the top flight for the first time since 2002, and begin the new season at home to Liverpool on Saturday.
Club chairman Mark Ashton said: “The fact that some of the world’s biggest artists have given so much of their time to us and made the club such a great presence around the world, yet asked for so little in return, shows why this relationship is so special.”
