Ed Sheeran’s connection to football took a fascinating turn as the globally renowned artist played a pivotal role in a transfer deal for Ipswich Town, the team he passionately supports. Ipswich, which returned to the Premier League this season after 22 years, counts Sheeran among its major shareholders, with the singer now acting as an unofficial “technical director.”

The Story Unveiled

Mark Ashton, CEO of Ipswich Town, revealed the story during a Soccerex event sponsored by Sky Sports. Over the summer, as the club prepared for its Premier League comeback, negotiations were underway to convince a player to join the team. Upon learning that the player was a fan of Sheeran, the management asked the singer to intervene.

“Ed joined a Zoom call with the player right before going on stage for a concert with Taylor Swift. It was a turning point in the player’s decision,” Ashton said.

Sheeran’s Role in Ipswich’s Success

Ashton humorously described Sheeran’s multifaceted involvement with the club: “He’s a local guy, a global superstar, team sponsor, shareholder, and now officially part of the recruitment team. We’ve gone from the third division of English football to the Premier League, but we’ve stayed true to our roots, and Ed is a big part of that journey.”

Speculation on the Player’s Identity

While the player’s identity hasn’t been disclosed, The Sun speculates it could be either Liam Delap or Sammie Szmodics.

Delap, who cost £20 million and is Ipswich’s top scorer this season with six goals, reportedly signed his contract just before Sheeran’s performance at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. However, the player does not follow Sheeran on Instagram, raising doubts.

Szmodics, Ipswich’s second-top scorer, appears to be the more likely candidate. His contract was finalized on August 16, a day before Sheeran’s surprise appearance at Wembley with Taylor Swift. Additionally, Szmodics follows the singer on social media and was photographed with him at the stadium following Ipswich’s victory over Tottenham.