Ed Sheeran was gearing up to perform alongside Taylor Swift during a summer concert when he received an unexpected call from his beloved soccer team. Ipswich Town needed assistance in recruiting a player, and Sheeran, a minor shareholder in the club, stepped up to help. This season marks a significant return for Ipswich, as they have rejoined the English Premier League for the first time since 2002.

Sheeran’s involvement goes beyond that of an investor; he has now taken an active role in the club’s recruitment efforts. Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton shared insights during a Soccerex event held in Miami, revealing that, during the summer, the team was attempting to convince a specific player to sign with them. It was soon discovered that this player was a fan of Sheeran. Ashton mentioned, “Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that was a key part in getting the player across the line.”

While Ashton didn’t reveal the name of the player, he did note that “he’s certainly scoring a few goals.” Notably, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift performed together at Wembley Stadium on August 15, events which coincided with Ipswich securing Sammie Szmodics from Blackburn the following day. Szmodics, who was the leading scorer in the Championship last season, recently celebrated his skillful overhead kick goal during Ipswich’s 2-1 victory at Tottenham by posting a picture with Sheeran on social media. In his post, an excited Szmodics wrote, “Overhead kick, Win & a smudge with big Ed. GET IN THERE.”

As Ipswich’s most prominent supporter, Sheeran has been the team’s shirt sponsor since 2021. His minority ownership status allows him access to an executive box at the club’s Portman Road stadium, where he is frequently seen cheering on the team. Ipswich Town is set to host Manchester United for a match this Sunday, marking a notable debut for Ruben Amorim as the new manager for United.

At the Soccerex event, Ashton expressed appreciation for Sheeran’s involvement, commenting with a smile, “He’s a local man, a global superstar, sponsor of the football club, now a shareholder and now officially a part of our recruitment team.” This illustrates not only Sheeran’s deep connection to Ipswich Town but also the growing synergy between sports and entertainment, showcasing how celebrities can play an integral role in the operations of their favorite teams.