RedBird Capital Partners have announced Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to Milan as a ‘Senior Advisor’ to the club’s Ownership and Senior Management.
Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners have confirmed
Ibrahimovic’s return on Monday through an official statement published
on globenewswire.
RedBird Capital Partners (“RedBird”) today announced the appointment
of Zlatan Ibrahimović (“Ibra”) as an Operating Partner across its Sports
and Media & Entertainment investment portfolio. In this capacity,
he will also serve as a Senior Advisor to AC Milan Ownership and Senior
Management,” the statement reads.
“I am extremely grateful to be joining both RedBird and AC Milan in
these important and influential roles. RedBird has partnered with some
of the greatest athletes, teams and business figures in the world to
create businesses with meaning and impact. I look forward to
contributing to their investing activities across their sports, media
and entertainment properties,” said the former Sweden forward.
“My love for the Rossoneri will never die, and the opportunity to be a
part of its future in a meaningful way is something I could only have
dreamed of. I am grateful to Gerry for making this opportunity available
to me. I have greatly admired the commitment, passion and hard work
RedBird and Senior Management have demonstrated since acquiring the
Club. This is not a decision that I take lightly – it is one which is
very important and personal to me and my family. I’ve thought long and
hard about the first steps in my post-playing career, and I couldn’t be
more thrilled to start that journey as a member of RedBird and AC Milan.
For me and my family, this is truly a homecoming with the cherished
Club where I ended my playing career and am now starting my next
chapter.”
Milan owner Cardinale commented on Ibrahimovic’s return to the Stadio
Meazza by saying: “We have all been fortunate to witness Zlatan’s
greatness as a player and his contributions in leading AC Milan to the
top of Serie A.
“What makes a winner of Zlatan’s caliber is not just physical talent,
but also high intellect and an entrepreneurial spirit. At RedBird, we
have developed partnerships with a very select group of high-performing
world class athletes and artists who are able to thrive in the RedBird
ecosystem across our sports, media and entertainment portfolio. I have
had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Zlatan in thinking
through his post-playing career options. To have him play an active role
in the future of the Club is indicative of our continued commitment to
excellence both on and off the pitch, and I’m looking forward to working
with him as a partner and colleague at both RedBird and AC Milan. The
respect Zlatan commanded as a player, his global presence among fans of
the sport, and his diverse skillset as an entrepreneur is a powerful
combination for both AC Milan and RedBird. I’m thrilled for our fans,
our players and coaching staff, and the rest of the Rossoneri community
that we can formally welcome him back to the team once again.”
Milan President Paolo Scaroni added: “Ibra embodies the meaning of a
champion. During his time with the Club, we all saw his work ethic,
determination and relentless pursuit of success. Having him as an
Advisor for both Ownership and Senior Management is a win by all
measures as we continue our relentless pursuit to return AC Milan to the
top of European Football.”
The former Sweden international scored 93 goals in 163 appearances
with the Serie A giants winning the Scudetto twice and one Supercoppa
Italiana. He retired from football last summer, revealing his decision
to the San Siro crowd after a 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona.
The 42-year-old had met Cardinale and Milan directors multiple times
after hanging his boots last summer and met Stefano Pioli’s team in
September after a 5-1 loss against Inter and on the eve of their 2023-24 Champions League debut against Newcastle at San Siro.
Milan confirmed Ibrahimovic’s return after a few hours, by posting the original RedBird statement on their official website.
