Arsenal‘s defender Hector Bellerin is now a part-owner of League Two club, Forest Green Rovers after he became the club’s second-largest shareholder. The 25-year-old Spanish right-back took to his verified Twitter handle to confirm the deal.
The club is famous for being the first carbon-neutral sports club in the world. World football governing body, Fifa and the United Nations have recognized the club as the most environmentally friendly team in the world.
Hence, Hector Bellerin who is known to be very involved in sociopolitical issues, felt that he and the club have something in common which has inspired him to go into a more explosive financial relationship with the club.
“9-months of planning & discussions of a shared vision for sustainability in football & wider society. So happy to have joined the @FGRFC_official journey. Loads more to come in the future to help our 🌏 #WeAreFGR”, the Arsenal star tweeted on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
The first and the most famous time Hector Bellerin has shown so much interest in what is happening in the society was when he donated money to plant 60,000 trees in the Amazon rainforest. He also vowed earlier in the 2019-2020 season that he would plant 3,000 trees for every game Arsenal win.
Started with a cause to raise awareness of a global need to plant trees and offset carbon emissions. Got told we wouldn’t plant any…
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) August 13, 2020
50,000 trees now planted. Thank you to everyone who supported and played a part. @onetreeplanted pic.twitter.com/zfG85J52Al
How Forest Green Rovers’ relationship with Hector Bellerin started
The relationship between Hector Bellerin and Forest Green Rovers started in August 2014 when he followed Arsenal to New Lawn Stadium to play a pre-season match with the then-Conference National club.
Since then, he has continued to follow the club’s interest in protecting the environment by investing in environmentally friendly practices. The club is arguably the only club in the world that run their stadium using Solar panels and use rainwater to irrigate their pitch.
“So many people feel there’s no solution to the world’s problems, but Forest Green are already doing plenty”, Hector Bellerin said.
“When I first played Forest Green Rovers [in a pre-season friendly in 2014], all I knew about them was that it was a long way from London!
“As I heard more about the club and its work, I knew I wanted to meet them and be part of it.”
In reaction to the investment of Hector Bellerin in the club, Forest Green Rovers’ chairman Dale Vince said: “I like Hector’s approach, his personal journey and the things he’s trying to do – they make sense.
“I’m looking forward to working with him on FGR and this wider agenda we have a shared interest in.”
