JJ and Kealia Watt become investors in Burnley FC

The couple will join the ownership group of the soon-to-be Premier League club

Burnley FC have announced that JJ Watt and his wife Kealia Watt have become investors in the soon-to-be Premier League club.

JJ Watt retired after the 2022 NFL season, following a career in which he became one of the league’s greatest ever defensive players.

Kealia Watt, meanwhile, has not played since the 2021 NWSL season after an eight-year pro career that saw her earn three caps with the U.S. women’s national team. She gave birth to the couple’s first child, Koa James Watt in October 2022.

“When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition,” JJ Watt said in a club release. “We understand that not only are we investing in the squad and manager, we’re investing in the town and its people. We take that responsibility very seriously and intend to work hard in earning their trust and support.”

Under the leadership of first-year manager Vincent Kompany, Burnley were crowned champions of the Championship in 2022-23, and will return to the Premier League next season.

The club’s women’s team plays in the third-tier Women’s National League North, and recently played its first ever game at Turf Moor.

“In the U.S. I’ve seen the NWSL grow into something really incredible, and we’d love to be a part of growing the women’s team here and be a part of their journey,” Kealia Watt said.

Burnley chairman Alan Pace added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia into the Clarets family. This is a conversation that has been happening for some time and over the course of this season we’ve been hugely impressed by their passion and interest in both the club and the Burnley community. I am very much looking forward to working with them.”

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