Former Celtic and Lyon striker Moussa Dembele has added 'club owner' to his impressive resume. The 28-year-old has purchased FK Minija Kretinga, a club currently sitting ninth in Lithuania's second division. This exciting development was confirmed by the Lithuanian club on Monday.
Dembele didn't make this move alone. The acquisition comes through Triple M Sports Investments Limited, where the French forward serves as a director. This same investment group already owns AS Mansa in Mali, showing Dembele's growing interest in football ownership beyond his playing career.
"They now know more about Kretinga than I do," club CEO Vidas Burba told Reuters with enthusiasm. "This is a win not only for Kretinga but for all Lithuanian football. We will now move from away from an amateur club to a professional one."
From Celtic Hero to Saudi Star
Football fans will remember Dembele's impressive stint at Celtic between 2016-2018. During his time in Scotland, he made 94 appearances and helped the club secure two Scottish Premiership titles. His goal-scoring ability made him a fan favorite at Celtic Park.
The Frenchman's career has been filled with notable achievements. He was part of Atletico Madrid's LaLiga-winning squad in 2021, adding a Spanish title to his trophy cabinet. Dembele also had successful spells at Fulham and Olympique Lyonnais before signing with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in 2023.
Now at 28, Dembele appears to be thinking about his future beyond playing. This investment suggests he's building a portfolio in football ownership while still active on the pitch in Saudi Arabia.
What This Means for FK Minija
For FK Minija Kretinga, this acquisition represents a major opportunity. The club can expect increased resources, improved facilities, and potentially better player recruitment. The transition from amateur to professional status could dramatically change their fortunes in Lithuanian football.
For bettors keeping an eye on Lithuanian football, FK Minija becomes an interesting team to watch. Clubs with new ownership often experience significant changes in performance. We might see them climbing from their current ninth place position as new investment flows in.
The small city of Kretinga now finds itself connected to global football through Dembele's star power. Local fans will hope this international attention translates to success on the pitch and maybe even promotion to Lithuania's top flight in coming seasons.
This move also highlights a growing trend of current and former players investing in smaller clubs across Europe. With his connections in top European leagues, Dembele might create pathways for young talent between his clubs and bigger teams where he built his reputation.
