Bournemouth’s owners take majority stake in Portuguese club Moreirense | OneFootball

Black Knight Football Club, the ownership group behind AFC Bournemouth have announced they’ve taken a majority stake in Portuguese side Moreirense.

Led by Cherries chairman Bill Foley, BKFC are now part of the Moreirense set-up as the club prepares for the new season.

Moreirense now joins a growing network of clubs under BKFC, which also includes French side Lorient, Auckland FC in New Zealand, Hibernian in Scotland, and, of course, Bournemouth.

This move marks BKFC’s entry into the Portuguese top flight - considered the seventh-strongest league in Europe according to UEFA’s 2024-25 coefficient rankings. Portugal is widely recognised for producing top talent and helping develop players who go on to shine on the world stage.

The country is also a key stepping stone for many South American players, particularly Brazilians, who benefit from the Portuguese language and the chance to settle into European football. With no restrictions on non-EU players, Portugal remains an attractive gateway for emerging talent from across South America.

Moreirense has seen some notable names pass through its ranks, including Portugal international João Palhinha, ex-Wolves winger Daniel Podence, and current Swansea midfielder Gonçalo Franco.

The club finished 10th in last season’s Primeira Liga.