Tony Bloom believes Hearts can ‘disrupt Scottish football’ as Brighton owner reckons £10m injection can change the game
The EPL club owner has made a proposal to invest almost £10million into the capital club
Tony Bloom believes he can help Hearts “disrupt Scottish football” with his proposed £10million injection into Hearts.
It has been confirmed that Brighton owner Bloom has made a proposal to invest just shy of the huge figure into the capital club.
If the transaction is approved by the club’s majority shareholder, supporters group Foundation of Hearts, the Englishman will receive a 29 per cent stake in the Jambos via non-voting shares and will be entitled to one seat on the board.
Bloom will not become a member of the Hearts board, but will appoint someone on his behalf.
The Brighton owner’s links to Hearts began last year when the Tynecastle club agreed a partnership with Jamestown Analytics, an offshoot of his Starlizard data analytics firm which has underpinned the recent success of the Seagulls and Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise.
It is understood the proposal would be a personal investment by Bloom, independent from his position with Brighton.
A Hearts statement read: “Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Tony Bloom has made a proposal to invest capital of £9.86m into the club for which he shall receive a 29 per cent stake in the club via non-voting shares.
“A consultation period with the club’s majority shareholders – the Foundation of Hearts – will now begin.
“The consultation will explain the proposal to FOH members and ascertain their views before asking them to vote on this. A majority of FOH members’ acceptance is required (as determined by the FOH board) for the proposal to be successfully carried forward.
“Following the FOH consultation process, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club’s shareholders will be called in order to formally approve the transaction.
“In the meantime, the transaction remains subject to entry into legally binding documentation, SFA approval and other normal course regulatory requirements.”
Bloom’s reason for wanting to invest in Hearts is outlined in a more detailed update on the Foundation of Hearts website, which said: “He believes Hearts can disrupt Scottish football, and he wants to be a part of a new glorious chapter in Hearts’ history.”
The club will not become part of a multi-club organisation. The FOH update added: “This proposed investment is being made by Tony Bloom on a personal basis as an individual. Although Tony Bloom does have ownership interests in three other football clubs he has never sought to tie those clubs together in a “multi-club system”.
“The transaction has also been structured carefully to ensure that it remains compliant with football regulations relating to multi-club ownership.”
Julio Enciso has a £40m problem at Brighton after Ipswich Town transfer decision
The Paraguay international is currently on loan at relegated Ipswich Town and is set to return to Brighton ahead of next season.
Enciso struggled for regular first team football under Fabian Hurzeler at the start of the campaign and joined the Tractor Boys last January.
The talented 21-year-old has two goals and three assists from 11 outings for Kieran McKenna’s men – including “a goal of the season contender” against Everton last Saturday.
The talented 21-year-old has two goals and three assists from 11 outings for Kieran McKenna’s men – including “a goal of the season contender” against Everton last Saturday.
Enciso – who joined Brighton for around £8m from Club Libertad in 2022 – will have just one-year remaining on his contract this summer.
Regular football at Brighton next term could be a problem for Enciso once again as £40m record signing Georginio Rutter is Hurzeler’s preferred option in the No 10 role, with Matt O’Riley and Brajan Gruda also pushing in that position.
Former Leeds United man Georginio is currently out with a foot injury but is expected to return before the end of the campaign. He offers a power and consistency for Brighton that, as yet, Enciso has struggled to match.
With Kaoru Mitoma potentially on the move away from the Amex this summer, a spot on the left flank could open up for Enciso. A position that would allow him to cut inside and then let fly with that lethal right foot of his.
Ipswich Town would no doubt want Enciso on a permanent deal as they plot their return to the Premier League next term, while a number of top flight clubs would also be keen on the player who was previously linked with West Ham.
Enciso was selected for Troy Deeney’s BBC Premier League Team of the Week. He wrote: “He showed real class and real quality, even with Ipswich dead and buried in the league.
“I’ve been in dressing rooms where people like that say they’re injured and go back to their parent club because the job is done, but he did the opposite.
“He took the game to Everton, was the best player on the pitch and showed he is Premier League quality, whether that be with another team in the Prem or back with Brighton. Very, very good goal. Unbelievable goal, actually – a contender for goal of the season.”
Julio Enciso verdict
Much will depend on how Enciso performs in pre-season for Brighton. His main problem is that £40m man Georginio has established himself as such a key man in Hurzeler’s team.
He could operate on the left flank – if Mitoma moves on – and that’s the only spot where he could potentially be a regular starter for the Seagulls next term. Personally I would like to see Enciso get a new deal and a chance to make his mark on the Brighton team.
