Bournemouth set to enter seven-a-side tournament with Michael B Jordan support

Bournemouth are set to enter a team in the seven-a-side The Soccer Tournament during June, supported by Hollywood star Michael B Jordan.

The Cherries’ squad will feature club greats and former professionals, as well as academy players at the TST championships in Cary, North Carolina at the start of June, with a one million US Dollars (£777,370) prize for the winners.

Jordan – who starred as Adonis Creed in the boxing movie series as well as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – is a minority stakeholder in Bournemouth, having joined the investment of Black Knight Football Club consortium, which is fronted by Cherries chairman Bill Foley, owner of the Vegas Golden Knights National Hockey League team.

Bournemouth’s United States midfielder Tyler Adams will lead the recruitment for the club’s TST squad ahead of the tournament, along with help from the Golden Knights.

Borussia Dortmund, Villareal, Plymouth and Wrexham – owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – are among the teams announced to take part in the 48-club men’s half of the event.

“This is a great way to watch the Cherries in the US at the biggest seven-on-seven festival there is,” Jordan said in a video on Bournemouth’s official club website.

Jordan, 38, enjoying playing football when he was a child, as goalkeeper, and felt Bournemouth were the perfect fit for his investment.

“I just saw a team with a lot of upside, a lot of growth and a lot of potential,” the American said.

“I love the story, the team’s history, so being able to be a part of that new storytelling, to give the team some new energy, some new ownership, especially with Bill Foley, he is a great partner and I just love his attitude.

“He is a great person and cares deeply about what he is getting involved in, so I knew I would have a partner that had a similar kind of ambition and work ethic like me. It has been a great opportunity.”

Bournemouth are enjoying a fine campaign, with Andoni Iraola’s side sitting seventh in the Premier League as they target European qualification for the first time and also progressing to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

“We have been blessed this whole season, we have been doing pretty well,” Jordan said in an interview with TST.

“I don’t think it is just one thing, but I think our leadership, our manager Andoni is amazing. The players respond to him, he leads by example and he develops people.

“He sees potential, he sees talent and takes the time to build them up and a system which supports them.

“We have a really great team which works well together, that chemical reaction which happens when everybody is on the pitch has been something to really watch this season.”

US international Adams added: “It’s great that AFC Bournemouth are taking part in TST.

“The competition has been growing in popularity each summer and I am excited to see how our team competes this year.

“The club has seen huge interest in the States over the last couple of years and this event will help to showcase ourselves even further.”