Bill Foley and Black Knight Football Club has bought a significant stake in French club Lorient, one month after having taken over Bournemouth in a deal thought to be worth around £120million.
The Texas-born businessman is understood to have bought a 33 per cent slice of the Ligue 1 outfit, with a view to invest further at the end of the current season with a view to a full takeover being completed in the future.
Sportsmail exclusively reported that the American was in France on Wednesday to close up the deal, and the Cherries had been interested in a move for Lorient forward Dango Ouattara to bolster their attack.
The purchase will help Foley to progress his Manchester City-style multi-club ownership strategy, having taken control of Bournemouth in December and the American eyeing a swoop for a team in south America and even Belgium.
Following the successful acquisition, a statement was released in which Foley announced the 'strategic partnership' between the two sides and praised the French club.
'We are excited to announce a strategic partnership and investment in FC Lorient today,' read the statement.
'Loïc Fery has successfully built a best-in-class football club and will be a great partner as we build BKFE into a leading multi-club football operator.
'I look forward to partnering with Loïc and his team to accelerate the success of FC Lorient and BKFE.'
The Black Knight Football Club consortium, which features American actor Michael B. Jordan, first took over Bournemouth on December 11 after Maxim Denim's 11-year association with the club was ended.
Foley himself is thought to be worth around $1bn, and already owns NHL franchise Vegas Golden Knights, and is the chairman of Fidelity National Insurance - one of the biggest insurance firms in the United States.
Lorient have had an impressive time in France, currently sat in sixth in the top-flight and with a real chance of European qualification at the end of 2022-23.
The Brittany-based outfit are also known for their excellent academy, which has produced the likes of Marseille and France midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and former Southampton and Juventus star Mario Lemina.
