Al Nassr’s Senegalese forward Sadio Mane has bought French fourth division club Bourges Foot 18.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year completed the purchase of the majority stake on Wednesday and he confirmed that his belief to take Bourges Foot 18 to the next level of development started as far back as 2020.
Bourges Foot 8 currently occupy the 13th spot in the 14-team National 2 after recording just a win in seven games this season.
Mane’s immediate objective in Bourges will be to keep the club in the French fourth division and also promote the development of Senegalese talents with a taste of professional football.
In a social media video that confirmed his investment, Mane said: “We’ve been working with the city for the past three years. We’re here to nurture and organise the club.
“The challenge is immense, but if the people of Bourges remain involved, I’m confident we can achieve our goals. I believe I’ll be visiting Bourges very soon.”
Meanwhile, Bourges Foot 18 president Cheikh Sylla, also of Senegalese descent, noted that the club’s mission is to be in the French Ligue 2 – the second division by 2030.
“We are obviously changing dimensions now that he is here but we want to go at our own pace. The main objective remains to remain in National 2 this season,” Sylla told L’Equipe.
“If we succeed, we will set an ambitious budget, among the best in National 2 to move up. In the end, we are aiming for Ligue 2 for 2030, we are not looking further than that. And today, we have laid the foundations for the professionalization of the club.
“We want to promote sharing, living together and a strong link with Senegal. For example, the club sent equipment to the country last year. Sadio will amplify this partnership.”
