Massive African led deal.. Former Nigeria striker approaches a historic takeover of English club
Former Nigeria international Victor Anichebe is reportedly closing in on a takeover of English League One club Bromley FC as the 38 year old prepares to make a significant transition from Premier League footballer to club owner.
According to talkSPORT, the former Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland striker is leading a wealthy African investment consortium currently engaged in advanced negotiations with Bromley's majority owner, Robin Stanton-Gleaves.
The proposed acquisition comes at a difficult moment for the South London club which has struggled to adapt to life in England's third tier despite securing successive promotions.
Victor Anichebe in advanced talks to buy Bromley FC
Anichebe's potential acquisition of Bromley represents another attempt by the former Super Eagles forward to establish himself in English football ownership.
The Nigerian businessman has reportedly been involved in discussions with the club's existing ownership for several months, with negotiations now approaching a potentially decisive stage.
Reports published in September suggested that Anichebe had already begun exerting influence behind the scenes at Hayes Lane, including helping organise a training camp for the squad in Cheshire during an international break.
Why is Bromley an attractive investment despite their struggles?
Bromley have experienced one of the most remarkable rises through the English football pyramid in recent years.
The club secured promotion from the National League to League Two in 2024, reaching the English Football League for the first time in its history.
Under manager Andy Woodman, the Ravens continued their impressive development winning the League Two title in the 2025 /26 season to secure another promotion.
However, their first campaign in League One has proved considerably more challenging.
Bromley currently sit bottom of the 24 team division, having collected just nine points from their opening 13 matches.
The club has registered two victories, three draws and eight defeats conceding 33 goals while scoring only 13.
Their disappointing results ultimately contributed to Woodman's departure on 22 October, ending a five and a half year spell during which he had guided the club through two promotions.
Former defender Byron Webster subsequently assumed interim responsibility for the first team.
The proposed investment could offer Bromley an opportunity to strengthen their financial position and develop a longer term strategy for competing in the third tier.
From Everton and Sunderland to football ownership: Who is Victor Anichebe?
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 23 April 1988, Anichebe moved to England at a young age and developed through Everton's youth system.
He made his senior debut for the Merseyside club in 2006 before establishing himself in the Premier League.
The powerful striker subsequently represented West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland building a reputation for his physical strength and ability to challenge opposition defenders.
Across his Premier League career, Anichebe scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists.
At international level, he earned 11 senior appearances for Nigeria, scoring once for the Super Eagles.
He was also part of the Nigerian U23 team that won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games scoring against Japan during the tournament.
Following the end of his professional playing career in 2018, Anichebe increasingly focused on business and investment.
He founded Lumira Group, a company with interests spanning sport, education, healthcare and infrastructure in the United Kingdom.
His growing business portfolio has also been linked to a proposed £20 million leisure development project in Liverpool.
Now, almost two decades after making his Premier League debut, Anichebe could return to English football in a completely different capacity.
What happened to Anichebe's previous Gateshead takeover attempt?
Bromley is not the first English club to attract Anichebe's interest.
The former Nigeria striker was previously linked with a consortium seeking to acquire National League side Gateshead in 2025.
However, the proposed takeover collapsed after the parties involved failed to reach the final agreements required to complete the transaction.
Gateshead officially confirmed the breakdown of negotiations on 9 May 2025 leaving the club facing significant financial and organisational challenges.
The failure of that proposed acquisition makes the ongoing Bromley negotiations particularly significant for Anichebe.
A successful agreement would allow him to finally establish a direct ownership presence in English professional football.
African footballers increasingly entering club ownership
Anichebe's potential investment also reflects a broader development in modern football, with African players increasingly exploring business opportunities within the sport.
As Foot Africa previously reported, Nigerian international Umar Sadiq became a co owner of Ranchers Bees FC in Kaduna in August 2025.
African business figures have also shown growing interest in English football, with South African investor Gary Lubner previously linked with Brentford.
For Anichebe, the proposed Bromley acquisition represents an opportunity to apply his experience of English football to a new project away from the pitch.
If negotiations reach a successful conclusion, the former Super Eagles forward could begin a new chapter in his career, exchanging goals and appearances for investment decisions and long-term club development.
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