Jobe Bellingham has led a $10m fund raise of Premier League-backed technology firm Rezzil.
The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder – whose brother Jude starred for England at the Fifa World Cup this summer – is part of the round alongside putting coach Phil Kenyon, who has worked with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Rezzil states that “Jobe’s investment forms part of a broader strategic partnership with the Bellingham family, under which Rezzil will deliver technology supporting future digital initiatives”.
The firm, which initially pioneered the usage of virtual reality in professional football, is heading into insight actioning known as “movement intelligence”.
As part of the fundraise, the Manchester-born company has opened a London office, in addition to one in Chicago as part of a Stateside expansion. The firm will double its head count to around 100 people as part of the move.
Bellingham leads fresh tech investment
“This investment gives us the opportunity to scale that vision globally, working with the world’s leading teams, broadcasters, athletes and rights holders to unlock the next generation of sport,” Rezzil’s Sion Colley said.
Bellingham and Kenyon add to an investor base that includes the Premier League, tennis Australia’s AO Startups and NBA Launchpad. Simba Investments is also involved.
Beyond that, footballers Thierry Henry, Gary Neville, Vincent Kompany and Michail Antonio – alongside Tyrone Mings – and rugby player Anthony Watson count themselves as investors.
“We’re taking the next step by establishing Movement Intelligence as a category in its own right,” Colley added.
“Sport has always understood the value of insights in movement. Our ambition is to help the industry understand it in entirely new ways, creating technologies, products and experiences that weren’t previously possible.
The organisation has made changes to its senior leadership team as part of the move, with former NBA executive Jake Loos leading the expansion in North America.