TOM BRADY’S Birmingham City investment plot was almost revealed last week as the NFL legend nearly leaked the news accidentally on Instagram with a cryptic clue.
Fans reacted in disbelief after the record seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, who is said to be worth £400m, announced earlier he has become a joint owner of the Championship side.
Instagram @bcfcTom Brady announced himself as joint-owner of Birmingham City today[/caption]
Instagram @bcfcThe NFL legend almost accidentally leaked the news last week on Instagram[/caption]
Brady, who has recently been rumoured to be dating Kim Kardashian, has “entered into a partnership” with Birmingham’s new owners, Knighthead Capital Management LLC, and will work directly with the club’s board.
Brady, who recently divorced supermodel Gisele Bundchen and also sparked rumours of a romance with Irina Shayk is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
But the 46-year-old, who enjoyed a glittering 23-year career before retiring earlier this year, admitted to fans via video that he knows little about football but did declare that he would be immediately getting down to work.
Now eagle-eyed supporters believe that the icon provided a cryptic clue just last week of his upcoming investment in Birmingham after he started following them on Instagram.
The Blues’ new chairman Tom Wagner, a close friend of Brady, completed the deal to acquire full control of St. Andrew’s and a 45.64 per cent stake in the club last month.
Brady is friends and business partners with the supremo with Knighthead Capital Management overseeing around £7.25bn in investments.
Wagner last year led a consortium alongside Brady and former tennis ace Kim Clijsters to buy a US pickleball team and the NFL superstar also bought stakes in the Las Vegas Raiders.
But after he purchased Birmingham, it has now emerged that Brady soon began following them on social media.
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In fact, the Blues are one of just five football teams Brady follows alongside Paris Saint Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Brady earned £260million in salary through his 23 seasons as a player, plus another £140m in sponsorships and endorsements.
And he stands to earn £295m in a 10-year deal with FOX Sports.
Brady, who has two children, Benjamin and Vivian, with Bundchen and shares eldest son Jack with actress Bridget Moynahan, has now predicted that he will bring success to Birmingham.
He said in an official statement: “Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me.
“I’ve been part of some amazing teams in my day, and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham.”
His arrival at Birmingham will no doubt provide long-suffering supporters with a huge boost ahead of the upcoming campaign, which sees John Eustace’s side start with a trip to Swansea on Saturday.
ReutersThe NFL icon won a record seven Super Bowls[/caption]
He now becomes the latest big-name American to take an interest in English clubs outside of the Premier League bubble.
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham and financed their return from non-league back into League Two last term.
And former NFL star JJ Watt, 34, recently confirmed he had invested in Burnley alongside his wife, Kealia Watt, who is a former USA international footballer.
They revealed they are now part owners of the Turf Moor outfit, who won promotion to the Premier League last season as champions under Vincent Kompany.
Watt and Kealia were in attendance as Burnley beat Cardiff 3-0 on the final day of the Championship campaign.
And Watt even got to bring out the Championship trophy after the match before it was presented to the players.
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