Leicester forward Jamie Vardy buys minority stake in New York side Rochester Rhinos
Jamie Vardy has sensationally followed David Beckham into US football club ownership after buying a minority stake in Rochester Rhinos.
The Leicester striker was due to give more detail on his plans on Tuesday night but it is understood he plans to help the Rhinos, who have not competed since 2017 due to lack of funding, rejoin a league in 2022.
Vardy is believed to have been working on the project for two years as he sees similarities between Rochester – an industrial city about 300 miles north-west of New York – and his home town Sheffield.
Jamie Vardy has sensationally bought a minority stake in US football club Rochester Rhinos
‘I’ve been looking at opportunities in the United States for a while, but there was something about Rochester and the Rhinos that just felt right,’ said Vardy.
‘I love the story of the U.S. Open Cup win (when Rochester were the first club outside the MLS to do so 22 years ago), and although the club has been through some difficult years since, in a way that makes this more appealing to me.
‘I can’t thank Leicester enough for allowing me to do this. They know, and I know, that it will not in any way distract me from my priority, which is helping Leicester to be successful and scoring goals in the Premier League for many more years to come.’
Current owner David and Wendy Dworkin are also part-owners of NBA franchise Sacramento Kings. Though the exact sum invested by Vardy is unclear, it is described as a ‘meaningful share’.
The Leicester star plans to help the club – who have not competed since 2017 – re-join a league
Vardy has therefore followed David Beckham (right), who is one owner at Inter Miami, into US football club ownership
Vardy is clear that he has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet but is nonetheless making plans for life after his playing days.
He will have a strong say in appointing a new head coach while Lee Tucker, who led Vardy’s V9 academy aimed at finding place for non-league players in the professional game, will be the club’s new sporting director.
Last season, Vardy helped Leicester win the FA Cup for the first time in their history, after becoming the first player to feature in every round of the competition.
Vardy is now one of the best-known players in English football thanks to his remarkable progress from non-league to the Premier League title in 2016, playing in the World Cup two years later and winning the top flight Golden Boot in 2020.
David Dworkin added: ‘This is a huge coup for Rochester and the Rhinos. Jamie Vardy is known throughout the soccer world because of his success and his inspirational story, and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us as a co-owner.’
Owners David and Wendy Dworkin are also part-owners of NBA franchise Sacramento Kings
The FA Cup winner has worked on the project for two years but is not planning on retiring yet
