French midfielder N’Golo Kante has made an intriguing off-the-pitch move by acquiring Royal Excelsior Virton, a Belgian third-tier club. Starting from 1st July, he will take over as chairman of the club, located near the Luxembourg border. Coincidentally, this is the same date when Kante is set to join Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ittihad, following his departure from Premier League club Chelsea.
In a statement, the club expressed their delight in handing over the reins to N’Golo Kante, praising not only his footballing abilities but also his outstanding human qualities, which are universally recognized.
Royal Excelsior Virton is currently working on reclaiming their professional license and aims to compete in the Belgian National Division 1 during the 2023-24 season. While this division is two levels below the top-tier Belgian Pro League, it presents an exciting opportunity for the club’s development and growth. The financial details of Kante’s purchase have not been disclosed, but the club assures that it is debt-free. Moreover, a board of directors will be formed in the coming days to assist in managing the club’s affairs.
Kante’s football journey began in France’s amateur divisions, where he played for Boulogne before catching the attention of Caen in 2013. He gained global recognition for his pivotal role in Leicester City’s fairy-tale Premier League title win during the 2015-16 season before making a move to Chelsea.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, Kante achieved numerous prestigious titles, including the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup. Furthermore, he played a crucial part in France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign.
Kante’s acquisition of Excelsior Virton aligns with a growing trend of professional players exploring club ownership. Recently, Wilfried Zaha announced his deal to purchase AFC Croydon Athletic, with the involvement of rapper Stormzy, adding further excitement to the realm of football club ownership.