Sadio Mane announced as the new owner of French club after earning millions in Saudi Pro League
Sadio Mane has been announced as the owner of a football club in France.
The former Liverpool forward, who joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in the summer following a spell with Bayern Munich that featured a heated bust-up with Leroy Sane, is said to be earning more than £650,000-a-week in the Middle East.
Should the Senegal international see out his big-money contract in Saudi Arabia, he would reportedly bank around £136 million in total – a sum that would certainly help French fourth-tier outfit Bourges Foot 18, who will be owned by the ambitious Mane.
The 31-year-old has been considering a move into club ownership for some time, according to ESPN. In fact, Mane contributed some funds to the Championnat National 2 outfit in last summer's transfer window to help them improve their squad.
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And on Wednesday afternoon, Mane's takeover was officially announced at a press conference in Bourges' town hall.
“I confirm the official arrival of Sadio Mané as a partner of Bourges Foot 18”, said Bourges mayor Yann Galut as Mane tuned in via video call. “I would like to send him my warmest greetings. It is an official arrival in the presence of Cheikh Sylla, president of the club.
"Sadio Mane has humanist values, he is close and he has a desire to have a social project.”
It is believed the winger's relationship with Bourges Foot 18 president Cheikh Sylla was "pivotal" in his decision to invest at the Stade Jacques Rimbault.
Mane's purchase of the French club is also seen as an avenue to help young players from Senegal find their way to a higher level.
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It has been a difficult start to the league campaign for Bourges Foot 18. They currently sit 13th in Group B of the Championnat National 2 but the arrival of Mane will certainly lift spirits in camp.
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Topics: Sadio Mane, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr, France
Jack Kenmare