Eniola Aluko becomes first black female football club owner in Italy

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 13/04/2024

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Former England international Eniola Aluko has become the first black female football club owner in Italy, NRTC reports.

The former sports director for Aston Villa becomes part of a $100 million ownership group, known as Mercury/13.

Eniola Aluko is part of the Mercury/13 group that acquired Italian club FC Como Women. (Image: The Sun US)

Aluko and the group has acquired a majority stake in northern Italy-based football outfit, FC Como Women.

ALSO READ:

The former Chelsea and Juventus player has focused on football broadcasting since her retirement in 2020. She has now ventured into sports ownership after joining the Mercury/13 group.

Owning FC Como Women is a great achievement that serves as inspiration for black sports owners and black sports investors.

An investment of $100 million had been pledged by the Mercury/13 ownership group into women’s football teams across Latin America and Europe.

Players of FC Como Women, an Italian club that has now been bought by Eniola Aluko and the Mercury/13 Consortium. (Image: FC Como)

Experience and expertise

Aluko has always been an individual passionate about women’s sports, and football in particular. She is a former player and a former sports director who understands the dynamics of women’s football from different standpoints.

As an ex-player and a management expert, Aluko’s wealth of experience will come in handy as an owner of FC Como Women.

Under her watch, not only is FC Como Women expected to develop, women’s football in Italy is set to experience new heights.

Eniola Aluko’s Profile

Eni Aluko (alongside Mercury/13), who is now a proud owner of FC Como Women, made over 100 appearances for England. (Image: Sports247.NG)

Eni Aluko, as she’s also known as, was born in Lagos, Nigeria to Gbenga and Sileola. She and her family moved to Birmingham, England when she was only six months old.

The 37-year-old former player is the sister of ex-Hull City forward Sone Aluko. He currently plays for Championship side Ipswich Town who are second on the table.