‘A perfect opportunity’ - USMNT and Gladbach midfielder Giovanni Reyna invests in Ft. Lauderdale United FC as USL club reaches $55 million valuation

The 22-year-old Bundesliga midfielder has made his first significant entry into the business side of soccer by joining Ft. Lauderdale United. Reyna's investment comes as part of a broader funding round that includes multiple investors, though specific financial details of his personal stake have not been disclosed.

"We are incredibly proud to welcome Gio Reyna to the Fort Lauderdale United family," Smith said, as per ESPN. "This investment not only reflects our club's immense potential but also solidifies our position in the American soccer landscape. With our strong youth program and state-of-the-art facilities, we are proud of our ability to create a signature professional pathway on both the men's and women's sides."

Personal relationships played a significant role in bringing Reyna into the club's ownership structure. Hassan Pinto, one of the club's existing owners, had previous connections to the Reyna family, having played youth soccer in New Jersey with Giovanni's father, Claudio Reyna, on the Olympic Development Program Region I team. Additionally, Pinto was a college classmate of Danielle Reyna, Giovanni's mother, at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Reyna said discussions with club leaders and a tour of their facilities convinced him to invest, citing the club’s potential to drive player development in U.S. soccer.

"What truly sold me on Fort Lauderdale United was the ownership group's comprehensive vision. They're not just creating two professional teams; they're building a complete ecosystem for player development, from the youth level all the way to the pros," Reyna said in a statement. 

"Combining that with the fantastic South Florida location and state-of-the-art facilities, it became clear this was a perfect opportunity to not only invest in the club's success but also to help develop the future of American soccer."

Reyna's decision to invest follows a growing trend among active professional players to take ownership stakes in lower-division American clubs. Fellow USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams recently joined the investment group of USL League One side Westchester SC in January 2025, while Chris Richards also became a part of the Birmingham Legion's ownership group a month later.