“Hearts Negotiating £10M Investment and Analytics Deal with Brighton’s Tony Bloom”
Hearts are in discussions with Brighton’s billionaire owner, Tony Bloom, about a £10 million investment plan that could transform player recruitment at the Tynecastle club.
Bloom is looking to bring his sports analytics company, Starlizard, into Scottish football, with negotiations currently underway between both parties.
Although no agreement has been finalized yet, sources indicate that talks are progressing positively, and both sides are eager to reach a deal.
If the agreement is secured, Hearts would gain access to the same analytics and data that have contributed to Brighton’s remarkable recruitment success in recent years.
Initially, Bloom would not purchase any shares in Hearts, but if the collaboration proves successful, he may seek to acquire a minority stake in the club within the next two years.
Any such proposal would need approval from Foundation of Hearts (FoH) members, who currently hold the majority of shares on behalf of the supporters.
At present, the Starlizard deal does not require FoH approval, as it focuses on providing Hearts with advanced analytics technology and data, with no formal partnership with Brighton. Both clubs would continue to operate independently.
However, Hearts are already using analytics more frequently and are eager to learn from Brighton, a club that has earned a reputation for being one of the best in player recruitment.
Brighton’s recruitment strategy is admired across Europe, with the club making over £400 million in player sales in the past three years, establishing itself as one of the most efficiently run clubs on the continent.