Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran has acquired a small stake in Ipswich Town Football Club.

The globally famous pop singer, a front of shirt sponsor since 2021, has purchased 1.4% of his home county club through Gamechanger 20 Ltd.

A club statement says the 33-year-old has made a 'passive and minority' investment and that he will not join the board of directors.

As part of the agreement, Sheeran - who took the Town players out for a promotion celebration back in May - will have long-term use of an executive box at Portman Road which he has had personalised ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

"I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my hometown club," said Sheeran.

"It's any football fan's dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity.

"I have 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 protected.

"It's such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs, but football is all about taking the highs and lows.

"I'm not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don't get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play!

"I'm excited for the Premier League to start this weekend. Let's go!"

Town chief executive and chairman Mark Ashton said: "This is an incredibly proud day for the football club.

"The support Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable and for him to make this investment in the club feels like the natural progression of our relationship.

"For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.

"It's been a pleasure to get to know Ed and his team over the last three years and we look forward to building our relationship further now as the club enters the Premier League."

Ipswich Town were taken over by the newly-formed Gamechanger 20 Ltd in April 2021, their funds coming from the large pension fund for retired public safety personnel in the state of Arizona.

In March this year, it was announced that a US-based private equity firm had purchased a 44% stake in the club for a figure of £105 million.

On Tuesday it was announced that Marc Lasry, the former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise, and Travis Viola, whose family own the Florida Panthers NHL franchise, had joined the Ipswich Town and Gamechanger boards respectively.