Aston Villa owners buy minority share in second-tier Annecy

"FC Annecy are delighted to announce the arrival of V Sports, the owners of Aston Villa FC, as minority shareholders in the club," Annecy said in a statement.

"This collaboration is in keeping with FC Annecy's identity, its local roots and its development," the club added.

Annecy did not stipulate the size of V Sports' stake but sources suggest it may be worth around 30 percent, or 4.5 million euros ($5.2m).

V Sports has already invested in other European teams such as Vitoria Setubal in Portugal and Spanish fourth division side Real Union Irun.

V Sports have also signed partnerships with Egypt's ZED FC, Vissel Kobe in Japan and Ivorians ASEC Mimosas.

Annecy are not the only French side to be included in the multi-club portfolio of an English Premier League club's owners.

Chelsea's owners BlueCo have invested in Strasbourg, Manchester United's minority powerbrokers Ineos also own Nice, while the City Football Group is in charge of Manchester City and Troyes, who have just been promoted to Ligue 1.