Black Knight Football Club Becomes Sole Shareholder of FC Lorient.

Roger Hampel

Image: FC Lorient

Black Knight Football Club has become the sole shareholder of FC Lorient, completing a capital restructuring designed to support the club’s long-term competitiveness amid increasing financial and sporting pressure in French football.

The transaction was finalised in January 2026 following its presentation to the DNCG, the French football financial watchdog. As part of the agreement, long-time Lorient president Loïc Féry retains his role at the club and also becomes a shareholder in BKFC alongside managing member William P. Foley.

Ownership Structure and Strategic Context FC Lorient

Under the new structure, FC Lorient joins an international portfolio that includes AFC Bournemouth and Moreirense FC. The move formalises a relationship that has been developing since an initial partnership agreement was signed in 2023. According to the club, the transition to full ownership is intended to provide Lorient with greater financial resilience and access to international operational resources, while preserving the club’s local identity.

Continuity of Leadership and Club Identity

Despite the ownership change, Lorient emphasised continuity at executive level. Féry, who has led the club since 2009, will continue to oversee the club’s sporting and organisational direction, maintaining what the club describes as the “Merlus spirit” — a reference to Lorient’s identity and regional roots.

From a governance perspective, the structure reflects a growing trend in European football: local leadership retained at club level, combined with capital strength and strategic coordination at group level.

Executive Comments

Loïc Féry framed the transaction as a response to structural changes in the French football landscape:

“Since we signed our first partnership agreement in 2023, Ligue 1 has been reduced to 18 teams and other French clubs have strengthened significantly. In this particularly challenging economic context, our industry continues to evolve toward increasingly fierce competition.”

He added that joining BKFC provides Lorient with an opportunity to pursue long-term development while safeguarding its identity and regional ties.

William P. Foley highlighted BKFC’s multi-club strategy and emphasis on collaboration:

“By bringing together people, talent and networks, we're building a competitive and attractive enterprise. Our strategy is based on interactivity and mutual support, to build bridges that will benefit everyone’s development.”