Former Chelsea and England star launches £87m investment bid for League One club

Former Premier League star Ryan Bertrand has joined forces with a consortium seeking to secure an £87million minority stake in League One outfit AFC Wimbledon. The former England international is playing a leading role in the proposed investment alongside British technology specialist Omar Mir, who is providing the financial backing for the deal.

Mir is financing the takeover proposal through Sloane Street Capital (SSC), with the investment firm planning to acquire a 34 per cent shareholding in AFCW PLC, the organisation responsible for operating the football club. According to the BBC, the agreement would initially see SSC inject £16million into Wimbledon upon completion of the transaction.

A further £71m would then be committed across five seasons, with the investment programme running until the conclusion of the 2030/31 campaign. Should the proposal receive the necessary approval, SSC would assume responsibility for overseeing the club's football activities, while Bertrand would take up a position as senior football advisor.

Despite his involvement in sporting decisions, the former Chelsea and Southampton defender would remain subject to the financial limits and operational procedures established by the AFCW PLC board. Discussing the potential partnership, Bertrand expressed his admiration for the club's history and the important role its supporters have played in its development.

"AFC Wimbledon's story is unique in English football and it was built by its supporters. We felt at home from our very first meetings," Bertrand admitted. "We are not here to change what this club is.

"We are here to help it go further on and off the pitch, for the men's team, the women's team and the academy. It would be an honour to join the Wimbledon family and help write the next chapter, and we look forward to meeting members and answering their questions over the coming weeks."

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Wimbledon would continue to operate under supporter control through The Dons Trust, which currently possesses 50.01 per cent of the voting rights.

The proposed investment has been structured to preserve that arrangement, ensuring the supporters' organisation maintains its existing voting power.

The Dons Trust would also retain the authority to block any proposed changes affecting the freehold of the Cherry Red Records Stadium. Under the suggested governance structure, SSC would be allocated two positions on the club's 12-member board, alongside an additional non-voting observer role.

Crucially, the supporters' trust would continue to have the final say on fundamental aspects of Wimbledon's identity, including the club's name, crest, traditional colours, stadium and constitution.

The proposed agreement would therefore introduce substantial outside investment while maintaining the supporter-led principles that have defined AFC Wimbledon since its formation.

If SSC decided to offload its shares, the Dons Trust would be given the first opportunity to purchase them and would have the power to reject potential investors it considered unsuitable.

Furthermore, any failure to meet scheduled payments would immediately freeze the growth in SSC's share of the club's value, with control reverting to AFC Wimbledon within three months.

Angus Fox, chair of the Dons Trust board, said: "The deal brings at least £87m into AFC Wimbledon over five years, while the Trust keeps a permanent majority of the votes, control of the Plough Lane freehold and a veto over everything that makes us who we are.

"We have set out the factors to weigh as plainly as the opportunities. The board recommends a yes vote, but this is our members' club and our members' decision."

Bertrand brought his playing career to an end in 2023, having represented several English clubs, including Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Southampton and Leicester City. Wimbledon, meanwhile, are sat 16th in the League One table following a mixed start to the season.