Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy has purchased a minority stake in non-league club Rochester Rhinos. The American franchise has not been competing since 2017 due to a lack of funding. And things are now set to turn around for them.
The reason behind Vardy’s investment in them is because of the similarities he finds between his hometown of Sheffield and Rochester.
‘I’ve been looking at opportunities in the United States for a while, but there was something about Rochester and the Rhinos that just felt right,’ said Vardy.
‘I love the story of the U.S. Open Cup win (when Rochester were the first club outside the MLS to do so 22 years ago), and although the club has been through some difficult years since, in a way that makes this more appealing to me.
‘I can’t thank Leicester enough for allowing me to do this. They know, and I know, that it will not in any way distract me from my priority, which is helping Leicester to be successful and scoring goals in the Premier League for many more years to come.’
Vardy has reportedly purchased a ‘meaningful share’ in the club, and will have a huge say in who gets appointed as the new head coach. Lee Tucker, the man who led Vardy’s V9 academy to help non-league players find a place in the sport, is expected to be the sporting director for the Rhinos.
So, while he shows no intentions of hanging up his boots anytime soon, the 34-year-old is clearly planning on investing in prospects following his playing days.
