NFL legend JJ Watt and wife Kealia invest in Burnley ahead of Premier League return

NFL hero JJ Watt and his wife, former United States international Kealia, have invested in England football team Burnley to usher in a new era of success at the club.

Burnley, coached by Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany, have already secured promotion to the English Premier League and the power couple will attend the team’s game against Cardiff on Wednesday night.

They were previously present for Burnley’s 3-0 home win against Wigan on 11 March at Turf Moor.

In a joint statement, the pair said: “When you invest in a club that has been around since 1882 you have to have a lot of respect for its history and tradition.

‘We understand that we are not only investing in the team and the manager, we are also investing in the city and its people. We take that responsibility very seriously and intend to work hard to earn their trust and support.

The pair have vowed to grow the team’s global profile as part of the partnership

Coach Vincent Kompany has guided Burnley back to the Premier League for next season

“We have such great respect for what has been built here by Alan (Pace, Burnley chairman), Vincent and the whole organization and look forward to working with them.

“We believe Burnley is a special club with incredible supporters and we want to help continue to raise its global profile upon its return to the Premier League.”

Watt retired from the NFL last year after twelve seasons. He is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and is widely tipped as a future hall-of-famer. In 2021, Forbes estimated his estimated net worth at $34.5 million (£27 million).

His wife Kealia made three appearances for the United States women’s team and has underlined her desire to drive the growth of the women’s team at Burnley.

“In the US, I’ve seen the NWSL grow into something incredible, and we’d love to be part of the growth of the women’s team here and be a part of their journey,” she said.

Burnley chairman Alan Pace added: ‘We are absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia to the Clarets family.

“This is a conversation that has been going on for some time and over the course of this season we have been extremely impressed by their passion and interest in both the club and the Burnley community. I very much look forward to working with them.

“Both JJ and Kealia bring with them an incredible amount of elite sporting pedigree and success, as well as ideas and connections that will be invaluable in helping us continue to tell the Clarets story to an international audience.”

JJ Watt, 34, recently retired from the NFL at the end of last season with the Arizona Cardinals

Watt, pictured with Kealia and their child Koa during his last ever game as an NFL player

Watt announced in January that we would retire the Arziona Cardinals from the NFL at the end of the season.

“It just feels like a good time,” said the 34-year-old. “I want to leave playing good football, while being proud of the film I’m putting out. I want people to remember me because I played a good ball, not because I got hit on the ass.”

However, there are concerns that Burnley’s impressive coach Kompany could leave the team at the end of the season.

He has been linked with the job at Tottenham Hotspur after an impressive first season with Watt’s new team.

As a player, Kompany won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester City.