Stormzy is closing on a deal to buy non-League side AFC Croydon Athletic along with Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and former head of player care Danny Young.

The club competes in the Combined Counties League Premier South Division, step five of the English football pyramid. It was founded in 2012 after Croydon Athletic withdrew from the Isthmian League in the 2011-12 campaign and then later folded.

They finished 15th in the 20-club division last season.

Crystal Palace winger Zaha and Stormzy both grew up in Croydon and a statement released by the club confirmed that they, alongside Young, have exchanged contacts with the existing owners following months of discussions.

The club statement, shared by Croydon Athletic on Twitter and Stormzy on Instagram, added: “The consortium will own, operate and develop their childhood hometown football club.

“While completion is subject to legislative and governance procedures, the three consortium members are excited about developing a community asset in the borough that gave them their own opportunities. They hope to take the entire community on this exciting journey with them."

 

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Subject to FA and league approval, the prospective new owners will operate and develop the team as part of a project that will see them return to their roots.

Stormzy, British rap icon, was born in Croydon and alongside Premier League footballer Zaha has always maintained strong roots to his home.

The rapper donated £500,000 via his Merky Foundation charity to fund educational scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2020.