Rio Ferdinand has joined the owner of Stockport County as an investor in a Manchester technology company.
The former Manchester United and England star has been revealed as the latest backer of DeliveryApp.
The company is based at Bonded Warehouse, was founded by Lance Jones in 2021 and already counts Stockport County owner Mark Stott as its lead investor.
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Mr Ferdinand said: "Manchester has always been a city of passion, ambition, and innovation.
"As someone with strong links to the city and its people, I am thrilled to be part of a new investment opportunity with DeliveryApp, a business that really embodies these values."
Mr Jones served as DeliveryApp's chief executive from January 2021 until earlier this year when he was succeeded by Dwain McDonald, the long-serving chief executive of parcel delivery giant DPD.
Mr McDonald added: "We are so excited to have Rio join the team as he brings masses of insight into the latest tech, particularly in social.
"His presence brings an extraordinary level of expertise and experience, particularly in the tech industry.
"As we aim to double the number of activated drivers and quadruple our revenue in 2024, Rio's involvement will be instrumental in achieving our ambitious goals."
DeliveryApp added that the investment will help to "boost revenue growth, streamline driver onboarding and retention, and constantly improve the tech platform".
In a statement, DeliveryApp said: "An already passionate investor in the technology market, Rio aims to support DeliveryApp's brand scale and awareness, drive revenue growth through targeted campaigns, and leverage his extensive business network for strategic introductions.
"Rio decided to partner with DeliveryApp based on his belief in the company's potential to disrupt the market and their ethical treatment of drivers.
"Additionally, the platform's transparency in the delivery process and its ability to reach a wider audience were important factors in the decision-making process."
Earlier this year, BusinessLive reported that a credit card start-up backed by Rio Ferdinand had raised over £60m.
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