BELGIUM
N’Golo Kanté buys soccer club in Belgium
The French footballer, who will play in Saudi Arabia next season, has agreed to invest in a Belgian club.
![(FILES) Chelsea's French midfielder N'Golo Kante controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on April 1, 2023. Saudi club Al-Ittihad announced on June 20, 2023 the signing of French midfielder N'Golo Kante. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/RPLCK5FOIO3USGUMGWL6CPRWPM.jpg?auth=d5776f87649c694ece193481a40a7835c564deb74e6168efd8e8674a70ca8876&width=360&height=203&smart=true)
N’Golo Kanté will play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia next season alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Chelsea player has in the meantime bought a Belgian club - the Royal Excelsior Virton - who have played in the Challenger Pro League (Belgium Second Division).
The club is from the town of Virton, very close to the border of France and Luxembourg, and have never played in the top flight. This season they have been relegated to the third tier of Belgian football.
Kanté in control
The club have announced the change in ownership from previous owner Fabio Becca to Kanté: “N’Golo Kanté's will is to continue the structuring of the club in order to consolidate its foundations, stabilise the squad and, finally, reconnect with the tradition of building RE Virton, through its youth academy.
“The club aims to establish its local roots in order to become a driving force for football in Gaume and the province of Luxembourg. The transfer of power will be effective as of 1 July next. The intention of Kanté and his trusted group is to make Royal Excelsior Virton one of the flagships of Belgian football in the medium to long term.”