Moussa Dembele Becomes Owner of Lithuanian Club FK Minija

Kretinga, Lithuania — Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele has made an unexpected career move by becoming the owner of FK Minija, a second-division football club in Lithuania. This news was shared by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano on April 21, 2025.

Dembele, who currently plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, finalized the ownership through his investment group called Triple M. The group also has interests in AS Mansa, a club based in Mali. Romano’s announcement on social media garnered considerable attention, as he highlighted the significance of Dembele’s new venture.

FK Minija is located in Kretinga and competes in the I Lyga, which is the second tier of Lithuanian football. The club is currently positioned ninth in a 16-team league. Despite his new ownership role, Dembele’s playing career is ongoing. This season, he has scored seven goals for Al-Ettifaq but is currently sidelined due to injury.

Dembele rose to fame during his time at Fulham, where he scored 15 goals in 43 appearances during the 2015-16 Championship season, attracting the attention of larger clubs. He would go on to join Celtic, where he became a key player, netting 32 goals in his first season and setting a record as the first striker to score a hat-trick in a Glasgow Derby since Harry Hood.

After two successful seasons with Celtic, during which he was pivotal in winning multiple trophies, Dembele transferred to Lyon for £20 million. He later had a loan spell at Atletico Madrid before moving to Al-Ettifaq in 2023. Playing in Saudi Arabia has allowed him to continue his impactful football career while also exploring ownership opportunities.

As he navigates his transition into club ownership, Dembele’s decision reflects a growing trend among professional athletes to engage in business ventures outside of their playing careers. His investment in FK Minija shows a commitment to supporting football development in different regions of the world.