Ex-players making moves in football club ownership

Football is all about goals, trophies, and glory. But for many retired players, life after the game now means being in the boardroom.

With big money involved in football today and English clubs attracting investors globally, some former stars have become club owners.

Some own major shares, others hold smaller ones, while a few represent larger investment groups. Here are some ex-players who have moved from the pitch to the boardroom, as reported by Planet Football on Sunday.

Gary Neville, Salford City

Gary Neville is part of the famous Class of ’92 that took over Salford City. He joined fellow Manchester United legends like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt.

The former England right-back has stayed involved with the League Two club. He has seen Salford rise through English football since they took over.

The club has had four promotions in five seasons and reached the EFL. But staying competitive at that level has been a tougher challenge.

David Beckham, Salford City

David Beckham is better known for owning Inter Miami. But he also has ties to Salford, making him one of the most recognizable players involved in an English club.

He was part of the original Class of ’92 takeover and continues to be involved with Neville after changes in the club’s ownership.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Hashtag United

Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta became a shareholder in Hashtag United in 2018. The club started as a YouTube football team and grew into a regular football club in the English league.

Azpilicueta was drawn to the club's ambition, community, and vision. The men’s team has faced the realities of lower divisions. The women’s team has also made its mark in the national league.

Hector Bellerin, Forest Green Rovers

Hector Bellerin is known for his support of environmental causes. So, investing in Forest Green Rovers was a natural fit for him.

The former Arsenal and Spain full-back became the club’s second-largest shareholder in 2020. Forest Green has a reputation for sustainability and veganism. FIFA has recognized them for their environmental efforts.

Mark Palios, Tranmere Rovers

Mark Palios has a strong bond with Tranmere Rovers. He made over 200 appearances for the club during his playing days before becoming its owner.

After being the chief executive of the Football Association, Palios and his wife, Nicola, took a controlling stake in Tranmere in 2014. He has remained chairman while the club competes in League Two.

Luka Modric, Swansea City

Luka Modric’s involvement with Swansea City is one of the more unusual cases of a current or recently active player entering club ownership.

The Croatian midfielder joined an investment group that bought a stake in Swansea in 2025. This group includes several high-profile investors outside of football.

Modric mainly acts as an investor rather than making daily decisions. His involvement shows how English football appeals to players looking beyond their playing careers.

Wilfried Zaha, AFC Croydon Athletic

For Wilfried Zaha, club ownership has local ties. The former Crystal Palace star teamed up with musician Stormzy and businessman Danny Young to invest in AFC Croydon Athletic in 2023.

This club is based in south London and competes in the lower levels of the English football league. It presents a different ownership challenge compared to the Premier League environment Zaha is used to.

Eric Cantona, FC United of Manchester

Eric Cantona’s link with FC United of Manchester is not like the usual model of club ownership. The former Manchester United forward co-owns this fan-owned club, which was founded in 2005 after a controversial takeover of Manchester United.

FC United is owned by its members, making Cantona’s role part of a larger community ownership setup.

Andy Carroll, Dagenham & Redbridge

Andy Carroll has taken a unique path into ownership by mixing it with his playing career. The former Newcastle United and England striker became a shareholder in Dagenham & Redbridge while still playing for the club.

This makes Carroll both an investor and a player, which is quite rare in modern football.

Alexandre Pato, Northampton Town

Alexandre Pato is another former international striker getting into English football ownership. The Brazilian became the public face of a group that took over Northampton Town in 2025, securing a majority stake in the League Two club.

This investment brought a well-known name from Brazilian and European football into the English scene, showing the ongoing international interest in owning clubs across the country.