Aston Villa’s owners have expanded their network of clubs by purchasing another in French Second Division side FC Annecy.
The deal, which means V Sports now own a 30 per cent stake, was announced via a brief statement on the French club’s official website.
It read: “FC Annecy is pleased to announce the arrival of V Sports, owner of Aston Villa FC, as a minority shareholder in the club.
“This collaboration is in keeping with the identity of FC Annecy, its local roots and its development.”
The deal, which is understood to have been in the pipeline for several months, will primarily focus on youth development.
Villa sent two of their academy players, Triston Rowe and Travis Patterson, on loan to Annecy last season.
More players are now likely to be loaned or sold to the French club, who will also see their facilities improved.
V Sports, led by Villa owners Nassef Sawiris, Wes Edens and Michael Angelakis, has been steadily growing its group of clubs over recent years.
Collaborative agreements have been struck with Real Union in Spain, Vissel Kobe in Japan and Egyptian side ZED FC.
The group also has a 17 per cent stake in Portuguese First Division outfit Vitoria Guimaraes, which was reduced from 29 per cent in 2023 in order to comply with Uefa’s rules after both they and Villa qualified for European competition.
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