CHERRIES chairman Bill Foley has been named as preferred bidder for a New Zealand-based expansion franchise in the A-League, a competition primarily based in Australia.
The Australian Professional Leagues, the governing body of the Australian top flight, have stated that they are looking to expand the A-League from 12 to 14 teams with clubs in Auckland (NZ) and Canberra (Australia).
It is likely that the new club will be operated under the Black Knight Football Entertainment banner which owns Cherries and Ligue 1 outfit FC Lorient.
BKFE are still looking to expand their footballing portfolio, with potential clubs in Scotland and South America being scouted out.
Foley will now have a period of exclusivity to finalise his plans, winning out despite entering the race late.
Currently one team plays in the A-League out of New Zealand, the Wellington Phoenix.
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