Ipswich Town fan uses Instagram to announce stake in Premier League club

Singer-songwriter and Ipswich Town fan Ed Sheeran has given more financial backing to the club by buying a 1.4 per cent stake in the newly-promoted Premier League side.

One of the most commercially successful musicians in history, Sheeran has been The Tractor Boys’ main shirt sponsor since 2021 and has designed their third kit.

“It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support and I feel so grateful for this opportunity,” said Sheeran.

“I have lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and protected.

“It’s such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs but football is all about taking the highs and the lows.”

Ed Sheeran: Ipswich ‘love’

Sheeran emphasised that he will not play an active role in boardroom decisions, with the club describing his involvement as “passive”, although he has been seen watching games from an executive box at their Portman Road home.

“I’m not a voting shareholder or a board member,” he said. “This is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don’t get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play.”

The 33-year-old used a clip of himself driving a tractor through a field to announce the agreement to his Instagram following of almost 48 million.

He had revealed Town’s third kit on the platform last week, explaining that the design in ‘Suffolk pink’ was inspired by the castle in his hometown of Framlingham.

Ipswich vs Liverpool ‘exciting’

“The support Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable and for him to make this investment feels like the natural progression in our relationship,” said Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton.

“For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.”

Ipswich host Liverpool on Saturday (12.30pm BST) in their first top-flight match since 2002. “I’m excited for the Premier League to start this weekend,” said Sheeran. “Let’s go.”