Eniola Aluko, a legendary Three Lionesses player, who hails from Lagos, has made history by becoming the first black woman to acquire a significant ownership stake in an Italian club, FC Como’s women’s team.
Born in Lagos in 1987 to Nigerian parents, Aluko and her family relocated to England when she was an infant.
Eventually, she became a naturalized citizen of England and opted to play for the national team.
Throughout her career, the 37-year-old excelled as a winger, representing clubs such as Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Atlanta Beat, and Juventus. She also earned 102 caps for the Three Lionesses, contributing to their achievements of claiming bronze at the 2015 World Cup and silver at the 2009 Euros.
Aluko retired from professional football in 2020 and has since pursued various endeavors. She served as the director of women’s football at Aston Villa and held the role of sporting director at Angel City before stepping down from the position last year.
Additionally, she has been active as a pundit in recent times. In a significant development, as reported on her X page, Aluko has made history as the first African woman to possess a club in Italy.
This milestone was achieved through her involvement in a $100 million ownership consortium, named Mercury 13, which acquired a majority stake in FC Como.
Como Women, established in 2020, competes in the top-tier Italian Serie A and calls a 3,700-seat stadium home.
Eniola Aluko, sister of former Super Eagles player Sone Aluko.
This landmark acquisition by the Mercury 13 group, with Eni Aluko at the helm, represents a significant milestone in the history of Italian football and the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the sport.
