England midfielder Jude Bellingham has purchased a 1.2% stake in cricket workforce Birmingham Phoenix, saying “I really feel like I owe town one thing”.
Bellingham, who grew up in Stourbridge simply exterior of Birmingham, has purchased a minority stake within the metropolis’s Hundred franchise price near £1m.
The 22-year-old got here by means of the ranks at Birmingham Metropolis earlier than becoming a member of Borussia Dortmund, with the Blues later retiring his quantity 22 shirt.
He now performs for Actual Madrid – profitable the Champions League in 2024 – and has turn out to be a key participant for England with 46 caps.
“I really like Birmingham,” mentioned Bellingham, who’s a cricket fan and performed junior cricket for Hagley Cricket Membership in Worcestershire.
“I am very grateful for what the entire metropolis of Birmingham has completed for me. I really like cricket as properly so after I received the chance to become involved I did not actually assume twice about it, so I am so joyful to be on board.
“I really feel like I owe town one thing. Proper now it is troublesome with how busy I’m with soccer, but when there is a means during which I can assist then I need to and this seems like a great way.”
The Edgbaston-based aspect had been one of many eight Hundred franchises put up on the market final 12 months and American funding group Knighthead Capital Administration, who personal Bellingham’s former membership Birmingham Metropolis, purchased a 49% stake for £40m. Warwickshire retained their 51% stake.
Bellingham has taken on 0.6% from every celebration, which means Warwickshire nonetheless have management with 50.4%.
He added: “I need to let youngsters know [and] let adults know that there is alternatives to go and luxuriate in sports activities. I used to be lucky rising up I had the choice of taking part in cricket and taking part in soccer, however some youngsters haven’t got that chance.
“It is essential that if I can become involved in one thing like this to shine a lightweight on a possibility for youths, then even higher.”
Requested in an interview final 12 months which sportsperson he would swap locations with, Bellingham mentioned England Take a look at captain Ben Stokes.
Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady can be a part of the Knighthead group.
