Gio Reyna invests in Ft. Lauderdale United of the USL: Boost to soccer.

Giovanni Reyna Invests in Ft. Lauderdale United FC

The talented American midfielder and Borussia Mönchengladbach star, Giovanni Reyna, has taken a significant step off the field by joining the ownership group of Ft. Lauderdale United FC. This move marks an important milestone for both the player and the club, solidifying their presence in the American soccer landscape. Ft. Lauderdale United, which currently has a women’s team in the USL Super League, has plans to expand with a men’s team that will compete in USL League One next season. This round of investment, which includes other investors besides Reyna, has brought the club’s valuation to $55 million, according to majority owner Tommy Smith.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Gio Reyna to the Fort Lauderdale United family. This investment not only reflects the immense potential of our club, but also solidifies our position in the American soccer landscape. With our strong youth program and state-of-the-art facilities, we are proud of our ability to create a distinctive professional pathway for both men and women,” stated Smith.

Tommy Smith, Majority Owner

The club has youth teams from the Sub-11 category, with plans to expand to lower categories next year. They use the training facilities of the former Miami Dolphins on the Nova Southeastern University campus, which include a stadium with a capacity for 7,000 spectators. In addition to soccer, the club also has youth volleyball teams and plans to have a professional women’s volleyball team in 2027. Smith indicated that there are a total of 1,400 youth players affiliated with the organization. Reyna’s investment is seen as an opportunity for the 22-year-old player to begin his foray into the world of sports business and acquire knowledge for a possible career after his time as a professional footballer.

“What really convinced me about Fort Lauderdale United was the comprehensive vision of the ownership group. They are not just creating two professional teams; they are building a complete ecosystem for player development, from the youth level to the professionals,” Reyna commented. Reyna follows in the footsteps of his international teammate Tyler Adams, who invested in Westchester SC of the USL League One earlier this year. For Ft. Lauderdale United general manager Tyrone Mears, the arrival of Gio Reyna goes beyond the professional realm. “Gio has a fantastic name. Obviously he’s playing in Europe, but getting that connection, I think especially with the younger demographic, Gio will really help with that,” he said. Ft. Lauderdale United lost in the USL Super League playoff final in the league’s inaugural season last year and is currently second in the standings this season after four games played.