-
Ex-Chelsea star, N’Golo Kante becomes owner of Belgian third division side Royal Excelsior Virton
N’Golo Kante, the former Chelsea midfielder, has acquired ownership of Belgian third division club Royal Excelsior Virton.
The transfer of ownership will be officially completed on July 1, with current owner Flavio Becca handing over the club to Kante. Royal Excelsior Virton confirmed the news through a statement on their official website, emphasizing their shared ambitions and the desire to elevate the club to new heights.
The club has confirmed the move in a statement on the club’s official website under the slogans ‘Together, aways higher’ and ‘Small town, big dreams.’
Under Becca’s ownership since 2018, the club has experienced success, achieving promotion to the second division for the first time in its history. Although they narrowly missed out on promotion to the top division in the subsequent season, finishing as runners-up, the club faced relegation from the second division in the 2022-23 season.
However, Royal Excelsior Virton is in a financially stable position with no outstanding debts and plans to appoint a new board of directors soon.
The club statement expressed Becca’s enthusiasm for handing over ownership to Kante, signaling a new chapter for Royal Excelsior Virton under the ownership of the esteemed French footballer.
“Flavio is obviously extremely happy to be able to hand over the keys of the club to N’Golo Kanté, a high-class player, not only for his footballing qualities but also and above all for his unanimously recognized human qualities.”
The World Cup-winning French midfielder recently ended his seven-year-long relationship with Chelsea to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad where he will play alongside compatriot Karim Benzema.