France/Ligue 2: V Sports, owner of Aston Villa (Premier League), acquires minority stake in FC Annecy

Luxembourg-based investment fund V Sports, already the owner of Aston Villa FC (Premier League), has become a minority shareholder in FC Annecy (Ligue 2 BKT), the club announced on 02 June 2026. Philippe Rey-Gorrez, CEO of local company Team Work, remains the majority shareholder.

"This partnership is being developed with full respect for FC Annecy’s identity, its local roots and its development strategy," the club, which finished seventh in Ligue 2 at the end of the 2025-26 season, said.

The fund, owned by American businessman Wes Edens (co-owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks) and Egyptian investor Nassef Sawiris, is expected to inject around €4m into the club and acquire a 30% stake, according to local outlets.

V Sports also owns a 46% stake in Vitória Sport Clube (Liga Portugal Betclic) and has developed a network of partner clubs including Real Unión Club (Spanish third division), ZED FC (Egyptian first division) and Vissel Kobe (J.League).

• According to the individual club accounts published by the DNCG, FC Annecy reported €9m in revenue excluding transfer income, a wage bill of…