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By LUKE POWER
Published: | Updated:
Brentford are taking the next step in their dizzying rise by welcoming the investment of two new parties – including a sprinkle of Hollywood.
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer’s film-maker husband Sir Matthew Vaughn and philanthropist Gary Lubner have joined the London club as minority shareholders.
It comes a day after Sky News reported that majority owner Matthew Benham had clinched a deal to sell stakes worth a total of £400m to new investors.
Benham took full control of the Bees in 2012 when they were in League One and has overseen their rise to the top half of the Premier League.
Schiffer, who holds more covers than any model in history, married Vaughn in 2002, the year after they had met at a Los Angeles dinner party. They now have three kids together.
Vaughn is a co-creator of the Kingsman franchise, directed X-Men: First Class, and was director and producer of 2024 film Argylle among other achievements.
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer’s (left) husband Sir Matthew Vaughn (right) has invested in Brentford Football Club
The announcement comes shortly after Sky News reported that Brentford were selling stakes worth up to £400million
It is a summer of change at Brentford as Keith Andrews has taken charge in the dugout
Brentford will take their fresh cash into the new season with optimism after finishing 10th in the Premier League last term.
They have lost manager long-serving Thomas Frank to Tottenham but appointed Keith Andrews, their former set-piece coach, in his place.
Their next steps will involve Jordan Henderson, who has signed on a two-year deal, though they have sold captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal for £15million and could yet offload Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United for north of £60m.
On their new investors, chief executive Jon Varney said: ‘This is an exciting time for Brentford. The club has enjoyed significant success in recent years, and this investment will build on that progress to help us continue to challenge in both on-pitch performance and off-pitch commercial growth.
‘It is vital to us that any new investors understand and reflect the values of our club. Since we first met Gary and Matthew, we have been aligned on how they can make a positive impact. They bring different but complementary expertise, and I am excited to see what we can collectively achieve.
Vaughn admitted he regretted not investing in Brentford sooner: ‘My journey with Brentford began 25 years ago when an actor suggested it would be a ‘great club to invest in’ and I’ve followed their progress ever since with well-earned respect.
‘Some years later, an agent made the same suggestion and so I went to a game, and it was the most unique, intimate, and yet epic match I had ever been to.
‘As he showed me around the stadium and introduced me to the brilliant owner and exceptional management team, all I could hear was the voice of the actor who first told me about the club echoing in my head, saying “You should have listened to me, it would have been much cheaper 25 years ago!”‘
Schiffer, who shares three kids with Vaughn, has more magazine covers than any other model
Jordan Henderson has joined the project at Brentford, penning a two-year deal in London
They finished 10th last season but change is afoot, with Bryan Mbeumo (not pictured) possibly leaving for Manchester United
Manager Thomas Frank left for Tottenham while captain Christian Norgaard has joined Arsenal
Lubner, founder of This Day Foundation and former chief executive of Belron, added: ‘Brentford stands for more than just football. Its commitment to community, integrity and social progress reflects the values I care deeply about.
‘I’m proud to support a club where success on the pitch goes hand in hand with meaningful impact off it – especially through the incredible work of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, which changes lives every day across west London.’
Vaughn and Lubner have invested in Brentford’s holding company Best Intentions Analytics (BIA).
Their confirmation as directors of BIA is subject to Premier League approval.
