Ed Sheeran lands limited edition shiny Premier League Panini sticker – with Ipswich's pop star investor getting special treatment that even Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney can’t match

Amid the influx of superstar owners in British football, which includes Hollywood actors Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, Sheeran has pumped some of his personal fortune into his beloved Tractor Boys. He has been the front of shirt sponsor for Ipswich – across their men’s and women’s teams – since 2021.

Promotion to the Premier League was secured in 2023-24, with Sheeran going on to acquire a minority stake in the club on the back of that success. The ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Bad Habits’ singer-songwriter has been a regular at Portman Road for top-flight fixtures this season.

Ahead of Ipswich’s next outing on home soil, against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Panini have paid homage to a famous face that never gets to grace the pitch. They have said: “The Limit-ED edition stickers feature a player-like profile image of Ed Sheeran representing his beloved Tractor Boys in the Royal Blue home shirt, celebrating his life-long love affair with his boyhood club, combined with a love for Panini!”

Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton has said: “Bringing Ipswich Town, Ed Sheeran and Panini together for something bespoke to us is great for our supporters. I know Ed loves the design and is a fan of Panini so hopefully those attending Portman Road on Saturday get their hands on one.”

Katie Gritt, head of marketing for sport at Panini, added: “We’re delighted to have been able to make Ed’s childhood wish of being a Panini ‘shiny’ a reality! It’s great for us to be able to collaborate in this way with both Ed and the team at Ipswich Town to bring something really fun to the fans that they can keep! We will also be giving out free Premier League Sticker Albums and Premier League stickers to fans at Portman Road before the game so there will be lots for fans to enjoy!”

Ipswich will be hoping to take inspiration from the Sheeran promotion, with Kieran McKenna’s side currently sat 18th in the Premier League table – six points from safety with just 10 games left to take in this term.