April 29 – Black Knight Football Club (BKFC) has secured its first formal foothold in North America through a newly announced strategic partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Orlando City SC, marking a significant move for the multi-club ownership group.
The agreement, which focuses on shared scouting, player development and executive collaboration, positions BKFC to expand its reach into a key growth market while tapping into a club with rising pedigree in the MLS ecosystem.
Orlando City has become a consistent postseason contender since joining MLS in 2015, most notably winning the US Open Cup in 2022. The Florida club also qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup in both 2023 and 2024.
For BKFC – whose portfolio includes AFC Bournemouth (England), FC Lorient (France), Auckland FC (New Zealand) and Hibernian FC (Scotland) – the alliance represents a calculated step into the commercial and sporting opportunities of North American soccer.
It mirrors a similar affiliation with Kyoto Sanga in Japan, underscoring the group’s strategy of leveraging partnerships in strategic regions rather than owning outright stakes.
“In Orlando City SC we’ve found a like-minded partner in a geographic area that was a priority for us,” said BKFC President Tim Bezbatchenko. “We look forward to building a strong connection that will benefit players and clubs from both groups and ultimately make all of us more successful, especially in the areas of player development and talent identification.”
The partnership includes structured training exchanges for players and coaching staff, shared scouting methodologies, and operational knowledge-sharing through front-office visits. For Orlando, it offers access to a broader European and Asia-Pacific network, while BKFC gains a direct conduit into the North American player market.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Black Knight Football Club,” said Luiz Muzzi, Senior Advisor to Ownership, Global Soccer Ventures. “This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
“It’s a powerful step toward expanding our global footprint while providing valuable development opportunities for players, coaches, and staff. We look forward to exploring additional opportunities to work together as the partnership continues to evolve.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1745942750labto1745942750ofdlr1745942750owedi1745942750sni@g1745942750niwe.1745942750yrrah1745942750