Eniola Aluko, the Nigerian-born British former professional footballer and sports director, has made significant history in the realm of sports by becoming the first black female football club owner in Italy. This groundbreaking achievement was facilitated by the investment group Mercury 13, of which she is a prominent member, following their acquisition of FC Como Women, a club competing in Italy’s top-flight Serie A.
Mercury 13, which focuses on developing women’s football clubs, recently secured a controlling stake in FC Como Women through a $100 million investment deal. The group, including leaders such as Victoire Cogevina Reynal, Mario Malave, Eniola Aluko, and Ebru Koksal of Women in Football, had previously announced their strategy to invest in women’s soccer clubs across Europe and Latin America.
FC Como Women, based near the scenic Lake Como region famous for its celebrity residents like George Clooney and Richard Branson, plays its home matches in Seregno, attracting an average of 1,700 fans per game. The club’s location and following highlight its prominence within Italian women’s football.
Eniola Aluko, born in Lagos and raised in Birmingham, England, from the age of six months, showed an early passion for football, playing alongside her brother Sone Aluko and his friends. She began her professional journey at Leafield Athletic Ladies and later played for the Birmingham City Ladies’ youth team, making her debut at the age of 14 under manager Marcus Bignot. Her career also included roles as a football pundit, providing commentary for major tournaments like the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups, and holding significant positions such as Sporting Director at Aston Villa Women and Angel City FC in the U.S.
Now, transitioning from her roles in broadcasting and football administration to ownership, Aluko’s involvement with FC Como Women not only marks a historic milestone for racial and gender diversity in sports leadership but also aims to boost the profile of women’s football in Italy. Her leadership is poised to inspire future generations of black sports investors and owners, and underscores the growing global interest and investment in women’s football.
