Reigning Irish Premiership champions Larne showed more evidence of their attractiveness to investors with news they have received a million pound investment from a group of American businessmen.
Owner Kenny Bruce, who played a pivotal role in attracting the investment, said that he hoped the new funds would help realise Larne’s five-year strategy.
With Scott Krase, a US businessman, recently becoming a Larne director, he is understood to be one of the investors who have bought a minority share in the port club.
Bruce has been quoted on BBC NI as stating that: "We have laid out a new strategic vision document called 'For the Town' which has allowed us to set a whole host of new goals and objectives.
"What comes with that is significant investment and I wanted to make sure the club had an opportunity to really go at these goals properly, and in the right manner.
"It was important to me that I looked beyond myself to assist in achieving these goals financially as well as strategically, which is why I decided to sell a minority stake in the club to American partners."
Bruce, who himself invested heavily in his hometown club back in 2017, will retain a majority share in the club.
He is adamant that funds from the deal will be used for the club as a whole, throughout all levels, rather than simply funded transfer pursuits.
This holistic approach has been a trademark of the Larne native since his takeover.
Bruce believes the businessmen involved have the right connections to advance the club.
"The investment is significant in terms of the amount but the key thing is the strategic element of it.
"We now have access to experts, ideas and resources that we could never possibly have dreamed of. That will allow us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.” he said.
It is hoped that these new “connections” will give Larne access to a wider array of talent. Already we have seen the stateside influence with the capture of Jaziel Orozco and Ilijah Paul from MLS side Real Salt Lake on season-long loans.
It is believed that Germany's FC Augsburg, G.D. Estoril Praia in Portugal and Denmark's Brondby are also possible partners going forward in what is a major coup for the east Antrim side.
