Lorient President Loïc Féry to Merge Stake with Black Knight Football Club, Strengthening French Club's Future

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The president of French Ligue 1 club Lorient, Loïc Féry, has revealed plans to merge his stake in the team with the Black Knight Football Club (BKFC) group. This move would see BKFC become the sole shareholder of the club, with Féry becoming a key shareholder alongside majority owner Bill Foley. Féry made the announcement in an interview published on the club's website, citing the need for Lorient to be 'fully equipped to face this hypercompetitive environment'. Lorient, which celebrates its centenary next year, returned to the top flight of French football this season after winning the Ligue 2 title. The merger is expected to have a positive economic impact on the city of Lorient and support the renovation of Le Moustoir stadium. It will also enable Lorient to tap into the expertise and resources of the BKFC group, which boasts a portfolio of clubs including Bournemouth, Moreirense FC in Portugal, and Auckland FC in New Zealand. BKFC, backed by American businessman Bill Foley, acquired a minority stake in Lorient in January 2023 as part of its multi-club ownership strategy. The group's investment is expected to provide Lorient with a solid foundation and access to an international network of expertise, giving the club a competitive edge in the highly competitive French football league. The exact timeline for the merger is unclear, but Féry is confident that the process will be completed as soon as possible. The move is seen as a significant development in the future of Lorient, and is expected to have a positive impact on the club's ability to compete at the highest level.