CHERRIES chairman Bill Foley has led another successful takeover in the footballing world, with Black Knight Football and Entertainment (BKFE) acquiring a share understood to be 33 per cent in Ligue 1 side FC Lorient.

The deal also includes an agreement for further investment via additional capital, however it is currently unclear whether that includes BKFE eventually taking a majority holding in the club.

Lorient currently sit sixth in Ligue Un, placing them in grasp of finishing in a place to qualify for Europe.

Speaking about the deal, Foley shared: “We are excited to announce a strategic partnership and investment in FC Lorient today. 

“Loïc Fery has successfully built a best-in-class football club and will be a great partner as we build BKFE into a leading multi-club football operator. I look forward to partnering with Loïc and his team to accelerate the success of FC Lorient and BKFE.”

Loïc Fery, President of the Breton club, also spoke on the deal, stating: “FC Lorient represents an extraordinary opportunity, which also involves great responsibilities.

"Since I took over the club in 2009, each of my decisions has been motivated by the objective of structuring and sustaining the club at the highest level. Ligue 1 has an ambition of excellence for French football, and I want our team to be part of this increasingly competitive future.

"Bill's experience and results in professional sport (notably with the Vegas Golden Knights), his passion, his determined character, and his global approach to football with Bournemouth convinced me to join forces.

"I am very happy to make this opportunity a reality for FC Lorient and welcome Bill to FC Lorient.”

Cannae Holdings, the majority shareholder in BKFE, also documented the reasons behind the purchase.

In a statement, they shared: "FC Lorient will be a key contributor to, and beneficiary of, BKFE’s multi-club ownership strategy.

"In BKFE, FC Lorient adds an operator with a track record of success in Bill Foley, who founded the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League and recorded the most successful season for an expansion franchise in any sport, having reached the Stanley Cup Final in the inaugural season.

"FC Lorient is a fixture of Ligue 1, the top professional football league in France, having competed at the highest level of French football for 13 of the last 16 seasons.

"Ligue 1, which refers to itself as “The League of Talents”, was a priority for BKFE as it is home to some of the best academies in Europe and is known for developing some of the most talented players in the world.

"FC Lorient currently sits in sixth place in Ligue 1 and has the fourth youngest roster, a testament to the Club’s ability to effectively develop and utilize its youth talent."