JJ Watt & Burnley, now Tom Brady at Birmingham! Seven-time Super Bowl winner & NFL icon becomes minority owner of Championship club

• GOAT forms part of St Andrew's project
• Will fill advisory role in the West Midlands
• Latest superstar in British football

WHAT HAPPENED? Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have generated plenty of headlines during their time as co-owners of Wrexham, while Michael B. Jordan forms part of the ownership group at Bournemouth. American football icon JJ Watt is involved at Burnley, alongside his former USWNT star wife Kealia, and seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady has got in on the act with Birmingham.

WHAT THEY SAID: Brady, who has entered into a partnership with Knighthead Capital Management LLC, has told the Blues’ official website: “Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me. BCFC is built on teamwork and determination and I’m excited to work alongside the board, management and players to make our Second City club second to none. I’ve been part of some amazing teams in my day, and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Brady will become chairman of the advisory board at St Andrew’s, allowing him to work directly with members of the club’s leadership team. He will be asked to put his extensive leadership experience to good use in the West Midlands, with global marketing and the identification of new partnership opportunities forming part of his remit. He added on making a surprise move into a different form of football that he has grown accustomed to starring in: "So here's the deal. I'm officially coming on board at Birmingham City Football Club. And maybe you're asking, what do you know about English football, Tom? Well, let's just say I've got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning. I think they might translate pretty well. I know success starts with the work put in when the world isn't watching. I know that a team is nothing without the city that shows up and stands behind it. Most importantly, I know I like being the underdog. The road's been long for Birmingham, but these fans have never stopped believing. We've got a song that says no matter what, keep right on, and I'll be on that road with you. I'll see you at St Andrew's soon. It's time to get to work. Let's go!"

IN THREE PHOTOS:

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WHAT NEXT? Brady announced his retirement in NFL circles at the end of the 2022-23 season, which he spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the greatest quarterback of all-time – one that will forever be linked to the New England Patriots franchise – hanging up his boots for the last time at 46 years of age.