(C)Getty imagesThibaut Courtois has a new club! Real Madrid stopper becomes shareholder of French club
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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
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Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan

Pro
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 14 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is included with the Express Pro plan.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN

Basic
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN

Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Courtois joins Le Mans project as latest shareholder
Reported by RMC Sport following an official communication by Le Mans FC on Thursday, Courtois has joined the club as their latest shareholder and will look to use his expertise as a world-class Champions League and La Liga-winning goalkeeper to help drive the Ligue 2 club towards promotion and consolidation on their goal of becoming one of the biggest clubs in France.
The 33-year-old joined up with Le Mans through his investment company NxtPlay Capital. Brazilian group Outfield has completed a takeover to become the majority shareholder of Le Mans, with Courtois’ involvement arriving alongside other minority shareholders such as Djokovic, Massa and Magnussen, though the Real Madrid shot-stopper is the first of the quartet to be from the world of football.
Getty ImagesLe Mans release statement after Courtois investment
Le Mans wrote in a club statement: "A two-time UEFA Champions League winner and iconic goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois brings top-level expertise, both on and off the pitch.”
They continued: "Having acquired a stake in Le Mans FC this summer, the Brazilian group OutField is now taking another step forward by finalizing the acquisition of the club alongside a strengthened group of world-renowned athletes and European investors.
"This increased commitment aims to accelerate and consolidate the structural development of Le Mans FC. Working alongside Thierry Gomez, the club's president, OutField will provide the necessary resources to support and amplify the project's growth.
"One of the project's pillars is already underway: the construction of a training centre dedicated to developing local talent. In the medium term, the objective is to make Le Mans FC a national benchmark in youth development, making it a strategic driver of growth and a sustainable talent pool for the first team.”
French club lay out ambitious plans for future
The club statement added: "As he approaches his tenth year as president, Thierry Gomez will remain at the heart of the project he initiated in 2016: building a structured and resilient club for the long term.
"For nine years, extensive work has been carried out to strengthen the club's organization, develop youth training, support the growth of the women's section, and unite all stakeholders of Le Mans FC: players, staff, employees, volunteers, partners, and supporters.
"The ambition is to build an ambitious and sustainable football club, rooted in the city's iconic motorsport heritage and a globally recognized brand identity. The priorities are strengthening sporting performance and developing the club's brand, both locally and internationally, in order to fully unlock the sporting and commercial potential of Le Mans FC."
Getty Images SportFuture is bright for 'French Wrexham'
Le Mans have been dubbed the ‘French Wrexham’ due to their star-studded line-up of celebrity owners, while Courtois is following in the footsteps of Los Blancos team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, both of whom have invested in clubs in the past. Mbappe invested £12.6million ($16.9m) in French third-tier club SM Caen in July 2024, while Vinicius is a majority investor at Portuguese top-flight club FC Alverca, who won promotion to the Primeira Liga last season.
Courtois’ arrival at Le Mans reflects the French club’s ambitions to become renowned across Europe and beyond, with the investment and support of world-class athletes such as the Belgian and Djokovic.
Le Mans currently sit fifth in Ligue 2, just three points behind leaders Troyes with 23 matches played. They achieved promotion from Championnat National, the third tier of French football, in 2024/25 and have not been in Ligue 1 since 2009/10, only spending five seasons in the top flight in the club’s history. With the investment and support of Courtois to add to their existing high-profile ownership, they will hope that is to change soon enough.
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