Martin Braithwaite Eyes Stake in Former Club RCD Espanyol

Former RCD Espanyol striker Martin Braithwaite is reportedly considering a bid to buy shares and take a controlling stake in the club he just left as a player. This news comes shortly after he moved to Brazilian side Grêmio.

During his time at Espanyol, Braithwaite scored 22 goals, helping the team win promotion back to the top tier of Spanish soccer. However, he decided it was time for a change as he prepared for the 2024/25 season.

In a heartfelt farewell message to fans, Braithwaite stated, “This is not goodbye for me. Together we have gone for promotion, we have achieved it and now we are going for the club.” It seems he has big plans for the future of Espanyol.

Braithwaite had a rocky relationship with the club’s owners after they denied him a transfer to a first division team last summer. He also expressed dissatisfaction with a contract extension offer, calling it disrespectful.

Currently, Espanyol is owned by Chinese businessman Chen Yansheng and managed by Rastar Group. The management has faced criticism from fans, especially since the team has been relegated twice in just three years.

On the business side, Braithwaite has made smart investments from his soccer earnings. He has built a property empire with shares in NYCE Companies worth $287 million. He started with an investment of $850,000 back in 2017 and now owns 1,500 properties, with plans for another 500.

His property project aims to provide affordable housing to the black community in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Braithwaite mentioned, “I always had this American side, and I think maybe that’s why my mindset is maybe more American: dreaming big, doing amazing things, writing goals down.”

His wife, Anne-Laure, is also an entrepreneur with her women’s clothing line called Trente. Together, they run a restaurant in Barcelona named Iguana Gavá Mar, along with a home-meal delivery service called Braithwaite’s Kitchen.

Earlier this summer, Braithwaite shocked Espanyol by leaving the club unexpectedly. Although he showed up for the first day of preseason training, he quickly made headlines by depositing his release clause to end his contract on the same day.

After his quick exit from Espanyol, he later considered joining Greek club Olympiakos but ultimately chose to play for Grêmio.