At 22, Bundesliga midfielder Giovanni Reyna has made his inaugural major investment in the business side of soccer, joining Ft. Lauderdale United FC. This contribution is part of a larger funding round involving multiple investors, though the precise financial details of Reyna`s personal stake remain confidential.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome Gio Reyna to the Fort Lauderdale United family,” stated Smith, as reported by ESPN. “This investment not only reflects our club`s immense potential but also solidifies our position in the American soccer landscape. With our strong youth program and state-of-the-art facilities, we are proud of our ability to create a signature professional pathway on both the men`s and women`s sides.”
Personal connections proved crucial in integrating Reyna into the club`s ownership. Hassan Pinto, an existing owner, shared a history with the Reyna family; he played youth soccer in New Jersey alongside Giovanni`s father, Claudio Reyna, in the Olympic Development Program Region I. Furthermore, Pinto was a college peer of Danielle Reyna, Giovanni`s mother, at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Reyna affirmed that conversations with club management and a visit to their facilities solidified his decision to invest, driven by the club`s potential to significantly advance player development in U.S. soccer. In a statement, he explained, “What truly sold me on Fort Lauderdale United was the ownership group`s comprehensive vision. They`re not just creating two professional teams; they`re building a complete ecosystem for player development, from the youth level all the way to the pros.” He concluded that this, coupled with the “fantastic South Florida location and state-of-the-art facilities,” presented “a perfect opportunity” to both invest in the club`s success and contribute to the growth of American soccer`s future.
Reyna`s venture aligns with a growing trend where active professional players acquire ownership interests in lower-division American clubs. This pattern includes fellow USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams, who recently joined the investment group of USL League One side Westchester SC, and Chris Richards, who became an owner of the Birmingham Legion a month later.
