Edinburgh football club Hearts are reportedly in discussions with Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom regarding a potential £10 million investment. The talks, which have been ongoing for several months, center on using Bloom’s analytical company, Starlizard, to enhance Hearts’ player recruitment and identification process.
If the deal proceeds, Bloom would acquire a minority stake in the Scottish Premiership club, which is currently owned by its supporters through the Foundation of Hearts. Any agreement would require approval from 90% of the Foundation's members.
Bloom’s Starlizard, known for its data-driven approach, is already utilised by Premier League club Brighton and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, which Bloom purchased in 2018 before selling shares to comply with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
The potential investment follows in the footsteps of a recent £6 million investment in Hearts' rivals, Hibernian, from Bournemouth chairman Bill Foley and the Black Knight Group. The Easter Road club accepted the investment for a 25% stake, having previously turned down other offers, including takeover bids.
Hearts’ potential partnership with Bloom has stirred discussions within Scottish football, with some suggesting that Bloom’s expertise could help the club challenge traditional powerhouses Rangers and Celtic. His success at Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise has earned him a reputation for shrewd recruitment and team development.
"If I were Hearts, I’d jump at the opportunity," said one football pundit. "Bloom’s track record speaks for itself, and this could be a major move for Scottish football."
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