Former Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe has been linked with a shock takeover of League One side Bromley after his previous bid to buy Gateshead collapsed
Former Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe is reportedly stepping up plans to move into football club ownership, with the 38-year-old linked with a takeover of League One side Bromley.
Journalist Alan Nixon has reported on Patreon that Anichebe is already heavily involved behind the scenes at Hayes Lane and is working towards taking control of the club. Anichebe is said to have organised a training camp in Cheshire for Bromley’s players during the international break as his influence continues to grow.
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The former Everton and West Bromwich Albion forward is the owner of Lumira Group, a long-term holding company which invests across sport, education, healthcare and infrastructure. Reports during the summer had already suggested Anichebe was involved in Bromley’s recruitment plans ahead of a proposed takeover.
A move for Bromley would represent another attempt from Anichebe to enter club ownership after a previous deal involving Gateshead fell through last year. Anichebe was linked with a consortium looking to take control of the National League club in early 2025 and had been seen attending games at the International Stadium as speculation over his involvement intensified.
That proposed takeover ultimately collapsed in May. Gateshead confirmed at the time that the parties involved had been unable to reach the final agreements required by the relevant governing bodies to complete a sale, with chairman Neil Pinkerton subsequently stepping down. The club said the failed deal left it facing “significant challenges” heading into the following season.
Anichebe’s Sunderland connection dates back to the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, when David Moyes brought the striker to Wearside on a free transfer following his departure from West Bromwich Albion. The Nigerian international had previously worked with Moyes for a number of years at Everton and signed a deal until the end of the season, with Sunderland short of senior attacking options at the time.
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Anichebe made 18 Premier League appearances for Sunderland, starting 14 of them, and scored three goals. His only other appearance came in the League Cup, taking his overall total for the Black Cats to 19 games. His best spell came during November 2016. Anichebe scored his first Sunderland goal in a crucial 2-1 victory at Bournemouth before producing two more in a 3-0 home win over Hull City, forming an effective partnership with Jermain Defoe as Moyes’ side briefly threatened to turn their season around.
Injuries subsequently disrupted his campaign, including knee ligament damage suffered against West Brom, which threatened to keep him sidelined for around 10 weeks. Sunderland were eventually relegated from the Premier League, and Anichebe left the club at the end of the season. He later played in China before retiring, and has since moved into business.
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Bromley would provide a very different opportunity. The club have climbed rapidly through the divisions in recent years and won promotion to League One at the end of last season, meaning any successful takeover would place Anichebe at the helm of an established EFL operation rather than a non-league side.
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