Birmingham City have announced seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will become a minority owner of the club.
The NFL icon retired from that sport earlier this year, having established himself as one of the greatest sporting figures of all time.
Birmingham confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: "Seven-time Super Bowl champion and entrepreneur, @TomBrady, has entered into a partnership with Knighthead Capital Management to become a minority owner of Birmingham City Ltd.
"Brady will become Chairman of the new Advisory Board.
New Birmingham owner Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls during his NFL career
PA
"As Chairman of the Advisory Board, Brady will apply his extensive leadership experience and expertise across several components of the Club, including working alongside the sports science department to advise on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery systems and programs.
"In addition, Brady will work closely with the Board and the management team on global marketing efforts and the identification of new commercial partnership opportunities for the Club."
Brady can't wait to get started.
Birmingham were previously one of only five football teams he followed on Instagram.
The 46-year-old reacted to his new role by saying: “Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion.
"And to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me.
"BCFC is built on teamwork and determination and I’m excited to work alongside the board, management and players to make our Second City club second to none.
"I’ve been part of some amazing teams in my day, and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham.”
Owner Tom Wagner, who is co-founder of Knighthead Capital Management, is delighted to welcome Brady on board.
“Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent," he said.
"We are setting the bar at world class.
"Tom is both investing and committing his time and extensive expertise.
"As Chair of the Advisory Board Tom will have a direct impact on the Club.
"The Men’s, Women’s, and Academy teams are going to benefit from the knowledge.
"The goal that Tom has committed to own is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football.
“A commitment to Blues fans was made on Monday 8 May 2023, to add experts from the world of sport and football to the team, putting in place the building blocks for future success.
"With Garry Cook as CEO, Hope Powell as Women’s Technical Director and now Tom Brady we are off to a fast start.
"Success does not come overnight. It takes time.
"But when you have great leaders in place everything becomes possible.”
Football fans on Twitter also reacted to the development, with one saying: "Fair play you’ve just completed the most random collab of all time."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Tom Brady can't wait to get started at Birmingham City
PA
"What is this reality I’m in," were the words of another.
A third fan said: "This is the best thing I've ever seen.
And a fourth supporter stated: "What a signing we are massive."
