October 11 – Brazilian legend Ronaldinho has joined the ownership group of USL League One club Greenville Triumph SC and USL W League club Greenville Liberty SC.
Ronaldinho joins the ownership via Wallace Cheves, a member of the GPS ownership group, brought him on board through Cheves’ Grupo Ronaldinho ownership syndicate. It is unclear what the group paid for their stake in the club or how much money Ronaldinho has invested.
“We are honored to welcome Ronaldinho into the Triumph family,” said Greenville Triumph SC Chairman Joe Erwin. “His influence in the sport is unmatched, and his presence within our ownership group speaks volumes about the direction we are heading as a club. Ronaldinho’s involvement will not only elevate our club’s profile but also inspire our players, fans, and the entire Upstate community.”
Greenville is located between Atlanta (140 miles away) and Charlotte (100 miles away) in South Carolina.
The announcement of Ronaldino’s entry into US club soccer ownership was made at the New York Stock Exchange where he rang the market’s closing bell.
Ronaldinho played 97 times for Brazil scoring 33 goals, and playing a key role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup win. In Europe he played for Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005, as well as AC Milan.
“The emphasis the Greenville Triumph and Liberty place on youth play through the boys and girls youth academy teams, and the level of competitive excellence of the Triumph professional team and Liberty pre-professional team is impressive,” Ronaldinho said.
“For me and our group, this is an opportunity to support soccer’s growth at all ages and levels, and to be part of a community that values international presence and a unique blend of cultures.”
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