Victor Anichebe leads consortium in proposed Bromley takeover

Former Nigeria striker Victor Anichebe is reportedly close to completing a takeover of EFL League One club Bromley, in what would be his first major move into football club ownership.

The 38-year-old is leading a wealthy African consortium involved in advanced negotiations to acquire the South London club, according to talkSPORT. Anichebe is understood to be in talks with Bromley owner Robin Stanton-Gleaves as the two sides work towards finalising an agreement.

The proposed takeover comes as Bromley face a difficult start to their first season in League One. The club have struggled to adapt to the third tier after making rapid progress through the English football pyramid.

Bromley were promoted from the National League to League Two in 2024, before securing a second successive promotion to League One at the end of last season.

However, they currently sit bottom of the League One table. Bromley have collected nine points from their opening 13 matches and have the division’s worst goal difference, at minus 20.

Their poor form led to the departure of manager Andy Woodman on October 22, ending his five-and-a-half-year spell in charge. Bromley have not won any of the three matches played since his exit and are already facing an early fight to avoid relegation.

Anichebe’s move into football ownership

A takeover led by Anichebe could provide a fresh start for Bromley as they attempt to establish themselves in League One.

The former Nigeria international has increased his involvement in sports investment since ending his professional playing career in 2018. He is the founder and owner of Lumira Group, an investment company with interests in sports, education, healthcare and infrastructure across the United Kingdom.

Anichebe was also recently linked with a proposed £20 million leisure development project in Liverpool.

His potential investment in Bromley follows an unsuccessful attempt to buy non-league club Gateshead last year. That proposed takeover did not go ahead.

Anichebe’s playing career

Anichebe played for Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland in the Premier League between 2006 and 2017. Across his spells with those three clubs, he scored 27 Premier League goals and provided 12 assists.

He won 11 caps for Nigeria and scored once for the Super Eagles, finding the net in a 3-0 friendly victory over Kenya in 2011.

Anichebe also claimed a silver medal with Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He scored against Japan during the tournament.

After moving into business following his retirement, Anichebe is now seeking to begin a new chapter in English football from the boardroom rather than the pitch.