An Ipswich Town fan uses Instagram to announce a stake in the Premier League club

Singer-songwriter and Ipswich Town fan Ed Sheeran has provided further financial support to the club by buying a 1.4% stake in the newly promoted Premier League side.

One of the most commercially successful artists in history, Sheeran has been the main shirt sponsor of The Tractor Boys since 2021 and designed their third kit.

“It is the dream of any football fan to be the owner of the team he supports and I feel very grateful for this opportunity,” said Sheeran.

“I've lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and secure.

“It's a great pleasure to be an Ipswich Town fan. There are ups and downs but football is about taking the highs and the lows.”

Ed Sheeran: Ipswich 'love'

Sheeran has insisted he will not play an active role in boardroom decisions, with the club describing his involvement as “passive”, although he has been seen watching games from the executive box at their Portman Road home.

“I am not a voting shareholder or a board member,” he said. “This is simply me putting money into a club that I love and it returns its reputation, so please don't come at me with signing proposals or tricks that I will play.”

The 33-year-old used a clip of himself driving a tractor in a field to announce the deal to his nearly 48 million Instagram following.

He revealed Town's third kit on stage last week, explaining that the 'Suffolk pink' design was inspired by the castle in his home town of Framlingham.

Ipswich vs Liverpool 'exciting'

“The support that Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been incredible and for him to make this investment feels like a natural progression in our relationship,” said Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton.

“For one of the world's greatest artists to give us so much of his time and give the club incredible worldwide exposure, while asking for very little in return, highlights what makes this relationship so special.”

Ipswich host Liverpool on Saturday (12.30pm BST) in their first top flight since 2002. “I'm happy that the Premier League will start this weekend,” said Sheeran. “Let's go.”