Aston Villa's holding company, V Sports, is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire a controlling stake in French second-division club FC Annecy. According to The Athletic, ongoing talks aim to formalize a partnership that would add Annecy to V Sports' multi-club portfolio, which already includes Japanese club Vissel Kobe and Spanish side Real Union.
Led by Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, V Sports has been actively seeking to expand its network of clubs across Europe. The acquisition of Annecy would provide a pathway for Aston Villa's young talents to gain experience in France, following loan moves for academy graduates Triston Rowe and Travis Patterson to Annecy in recent seasons.
V Sports may also invest in improving Annecy's facilities, including the Parc des Sports stadium. The group already maintains informal partnerships with MLS side Columbus Crew and Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, with young Ivorian talent Ibrahim Dosso set to join Villa upon turning 18 in January 2026, following Mohamed Kone's move last summer.
The collaboration with Columbus Crew has facilitated exchanges in scouting, coaching, and recruitment, with Crew technical director Marc Nicholls having visited Birmingham to strengthen ties.
This expansion reflects the growing trend of multi-club ownership models in football, allowing clubs to share resources and develop talent across different leagues. Aston Villa fans can expect further updates as talks progress.
