Ed Sheeran buys minority stake in Ipswich Town – and celebrates with tractor ride | Business News

Ed Sheeran has purchased a 1.4% stake in Ipswich City, it has been revealed.

The singer – who has sponsored the staff’s shirts since 2021 – has signed on as a “passive” investor and won’t develop into a board member, the soccer membership confirmed.

Nevertheless, as a part of the deal, Sheeran will obtain perks such because the long-term use of his personal personalised government field on the staff’s Portman Highway stadium.

It comes simply earlier than the Tractor Boys’ return to the Premier League this weekend after a 22-year absence.

The star additionally made his personal announcement concerning the deal – by posting a video on Instagram of himself driving a tractor by way of a area to have fun.

Earlier this 12 months a US-based personal fairness agency purchased a 44% stake within the membership for a reported £105m – which may counsel the singer’s stake could also be value greater than £2m.

Sheeran, who grew up in close by Framlingham and has been a lifelong supporter of the Suffolk membership, mentioned he was “actually excited” by the transfer.

He added: “It is any soccer fan’s dream to be an proprietor of the membership they help, and I really feel so grateful for this chance.

“It is such a pleasure to be a fan of Ipswich City. There are ups and downs however soccer is all about taking the highs and the lows.

“I am not a voting shareholder or a board member, that is simply me placing some cash into the membership I like and them returning the gesture, so please do not get on to me with signing recommendations or ways to play.” 

‘Proud day for membership’

The brand of the singer’s ongoing Arithmetic world tour has emblazoned Ipswich’s shirts throughout the facet’s speedy rise below Northern Irish supervisor Kieran McKenna.

Since taking cost in his first senior administration position, McKenna has secured back-to-back promotions for Ipswich from League One to the Championship after which to the Premier League.

Following the facet’s automated promotion earlier this 12 months, Sheeran handled the squad to a non-public live performance and celebration, and final week it was revealed he had additionally helped design the facet’s new “Suffolk pink” third package.

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The singer acquired his stake by way of the membership’s majority shareholder Gamechanger 20 Ltd, a US funding consortium.

Ipswich City chairman and chief government Mark Ashton mentioned: “That is an extremely proud day for the soccer membership.

“The help Ed and his staff have proven us during the last three years has been nothing wanting exceptional and for him to make this funding within the membership feels just like the pure development in our relationship.”

He added: “For one of many greatest artists on the planet to provide us a lot of his time and provides the membership such unbelievable publicity all over the world, whereas asking for little or no in return, highlights simply what makes this relationship such a particular one.”