Ed Sheeran has become the latest A-lister to buy into a football team after acquiring a minority stake in Ipswich Town.
Sheeran, who was born in West Yorkshire but grew up in Framlingham, Suffolk, has been a lifelong fan of the Tractor Boys. Since 2021, he has been shirt sponsor for the men’s and women’s teams. The 33-year-old’s total stake in the Premier League club, acquired through Gamechanger 20 Ltd, is 1.4%. He will not be a voting shareholder or a board member.
As part of the agreement, Sheeran will have long-term use of an executive box at Portman Road, which he has personalised before the 2024-25 season. “I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my home town football club,” Sheeran told Ipswich’s website.
“It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity.
“I have lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and protected.
“This is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don’t get on to me with signing suggestions or tactics to play!”
Sheeran is the latest superstar to bolster the profile of a lesser-known team – the celebrity chef Delia Smith has been heavily involved with Ipswich’s great rivals, Norwich City, for more than two decades. Elton John was the chair of Watford FC, the team he supported from the age of seven, from 1976 to 2002. In 2021 the actors Ryan Reynolds, star of Deadpool, and Rob McElhenney, of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame, completed their 100% takeover of Wrexham FC.
Ipswich are back in the top flight for the first time since 2002 after promotion from the Championship and begin the new campaign on Saturday at home to Liverpool.
Mark Ashton, the club chair, said: “For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.”
