Lagos-born England legend becomes first black woman to own a club in Italy

Lagos-born Three Lionesses legend Eniola Aluko has become the first black woman to own a club in Italy after acquiring a major stake in FC Como’s female team, Soccernet.ng reports.

Aluko was born in Lagos to Nigerian parents in 1987, but she and her parents moved to England when she was still a baby. Eventually, she naturalized to England, snubbed Nigeria and started playing for the female team.

The 37-year-old played as a winger, and played for clubs like Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Atlanta Beat, and Juventus. She also registered 102 appearances for the Three Lionesses, helping them claim bronze at the 2015 World Cup and silver at the 2009 Euros.

Aluko retired from active football in 2020, and she has gone into a variety of activities since then. The former England Lioness worked as a director of women’s football at Aston Villa and the sporting director of Angel City before leaving the position last year. She has also worked as a pundit recently.

In a new development, per her X page, Aluko has become the first African woman to own a club in Italy, after becoming a part of a $100 million ownership group, known as Mercury 13, which acquired a majority stake in FC Como.

Como Women was just founded in 2020, and they have a 3,700-capacity stadium. They currently play in the top-flight of the Italian Serie A.

Eniola Aluko is the sister of former Super Eagles player Sone Aluko.

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.

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    • You are wallowing in your benefit self pitty. At least she gets compensation from her talent and labour.

  • Poor Jimmy hating the fact that a woman , a black woman is doing better than he is.
    Well done Eniola.

  • Well done Eniola. A success
    you truly deserve , including the compensation. You've worked really hard for what you have achieved. I 'm so proud of you my girl take it with open arms. You truly are a legend.

  • congratulations that was a great success) even more opportunity for people including myself where by fitness players

  • How on earth is she African if like your own report said, shes English? Unless of course England is now on the continent of Africa. Wanky reporting at its finest.

  • hate her. racial stirer. got people sack. wants talented hard working players dropped to fit her diverse rubbish fit.

  • Italy is the worst country for any black person to invest. The indigenes and their authorities are going to unanimously work togerther, and close the club, latest in two three years.We've tried all those, and am a living witness. I Big congrats to her, but it shouldn't have been in Italy though.

  • Are you okay Eni? As usual, use ALL the ineffective hate as fuel to rise even higher Eni. FC Como today, Manchester United tomorrow.

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