Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha and rapper Stormzy are closing in on a deal to buy non-League side AFC Croydon Athletic.
The pair are part of a three-man consortium, along with former Crystal Palace kit man Danny Young, that has exchanged contracts with the existing owners.
Croydon holds a close place in the trio’s hearts, with Zaha moving there from the Ivory Coast when he was four and coming through Palace’s academy. Rapper Stormzy was born and raised in Croydon.
A club statement said: “The consortium will own, operate and develop their childhood hometown club.
📣 📣 CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT 📣📣
— The Rams (@AFCCroydonAth) June 27, 2023
We are delighted to embark on a new era at AFC Croydon Athletic, subject to final FA and league approval. This has been the culmination of many months of discussions.
Further details to follow in due course. pic.twitter.com/zruFM751nf
“The three consortium members are excited about developing a community asset in the borough that gave them their own opportunities. They hope to take the entire community on this exciting journey with them.”
AFC Croydon Athletic compete in the Combined Counties League Premier South Division, step five of the English football pyramid.
The club were founded in 2012 after Croydon Athletic FC withdrew from the Isthmian League and later folded.
