N'Golo Kante has purchased Belgian third-tier club Royal Excelsior Virton.
The France midfielder, 32, will take over from Flavio Becca as chairman of the club based near the Luxembourg border on 1 July.
It is the same date he will join Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ittihad from Premier League Chelsea.
"Flavio is obviously extremely happy to be able to hand over the keys of the club to N'Golo Kante," said the club in a statement.
"[He is] a player of great class, not only for his footballing qualities but also and above all for his unanimously recognised human qualities."
The Belgian side are in the process of regaining their professional license and will play in the Belgian National Division 1 in the 2023-24 season.
This division is two steps below the country's top tier, the Belgian Pro League. No details have been released on whether Kante has paid a fee to purchase Excelsior Virton.
The club say they are debt free, and a board of directors will be set up in the coming days.
Kante began his career in France's amateur divisions in Boulogne, before being spotted by Caen in 2013.
He helped Leicester City win the Premier League in the 2015-16 season before moving to Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, Kante won the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
He also played a key role in France's World Cup success in 2018.
His purchase of Excelsior Virton is the latest by a professional player, after the announcement of Wilfried Zaha's deal to buy AFC Croydon Athletic with rapper Stormzy earlier this week.
Latest Stories
-
Dreams FC denies allegations of attempting to sign Najeeb Yakubu
35 mins -
Election 2024: ‘Right to free and fair elections non-negotiable’ – Akufo-Addo
40 mins -
Kurt Okraku took out my passport from the U23 squad that travelled to Japan – Najeeb Yakubu alleges
51 mins -
Where hope fails: Ghana’s decaying home for the destitute
1 hour -
NDC Mining Committee for 2024 campaign refutes allegations of recruiting thugs for elections
1 hour -
Traction Control: A lifesaver with an off switch? Here’s why it exists
1 hour -
I don’t need anyman to woo me with money – Miss Malaika 2024 winner refutes pimping claims
1 hour -
”Kurt Okraku sabotaged my national team career because I refused to sign with Dreams FC” – Najeeb Yakubu
1 hour -
Businesses urged to leverage Generative AI for enhanced customer engagement
1 hour -
MultiChoice Ghana partners with Ghana Hotels Association to elevate guest entertainment
2 hours -
Bawumia’s music streaming app or Mahama’s pay-per-view TV channel?
2 hours -
Karpowership Ghana empowers 40 Takoradi Technical University students with scholarship
2 hours -
We expect significant reduction in prices of petroleum products in coming weeks – CEO AOMC
2 hours -
Betway Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime ‘Play-on-the-Pitch’ experience at Emirates Stadium
2 hours -
I coined the term ‘hype man’ in Ghana – Merqury Quaye
2 hours