AFC Bournemouth score MLS partner

Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), the global multi-club operator with assets that includes AFC Bournemouth, has announced a new strategic affiliation agreement with Orlando City SC.

The deal will see the two organisations focus on player development, scouting operations, executive collaboration and commercial opportunities.

The partnership gives BKFC its first direct connection to a professional team in North America.

As well as AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, BKFC represents Auckland FC (New Zealand), FC Lorient (France) and Hibernian FC (Scotland) and a similar strategic partnership with Kyoto Sanga (Japan).

BKFC President Tim Bezbatchenko, said, “In Orlando City SC we’ve found a like-minded partner in a geographic area that was a priority for us. We look forward to building a strong connection that will benefit players and clubs from both groups and ultimately make all of us more successful, especially in the areas of player development and talent identification.”

Luiz Muzzi, Senior Advisor to Ownership, Global Soccer Ventures, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Black Knight Football Club. This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to excellence both on and off the field. It’s a powerful step toward expanding our global footprint while providing valuable development opportunities for players, coaches, and staff. We look forward to exploring additional opportunities to work together as the partnership continues to evolve.”