Ex-Chelsea stars donate to save Vitesse Arnhem as Dutch club in trouble after relegation
Former Chelsea stars have stepped in to help financially troubled Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem — with ex-Blues academy talents Lewis Baker and Matt Miazga among those contributing to a crowdfunding campaign. The club has a reported debt of nearly £16million following a failed takeover.
Vitesse, who had a strong relationship withChelsea during the 2010s, were hit with a record 18-point deduction in the Eredivisie after an investigation by the KNVB's licensing committee found 'indications' that Roman Abramovich had controlled — or still controlled — the club. This left them with -1 point before their recent win over Fortuna Sittard.
Despite this victory, the penalty has confirmed their relegation to the second tier for the first time in 35 years. American businessman Coley Parry's attempt to buy out the club's current Russian owners was unsuccessful.
His Common Group, similar to 777 Partners who proposed to take over Everton, had already invested in Vitesse before the Dutch football authorities ruled that their purchase could not proceed. The club is now appealing for donations from supporters and businesses.
A crowdfunding campaign launched on Thursday claims that Baker and Miazga are among the players who have donated, although the exact amounts of their contributions remain undisclosed, reports the Express. RB Leipzig's Lois Openda is among the many who have donated to Vitesse's crowdfunding campaign.
Chelsea had a strong relationship with Vitesse under Roman Abramovich, with several youngsters enjoying successful loan spells there, including Baker, Miazga, Mason Mount, Armando Broja, and Dominic Solanke. A total of 29 players were sent on loan from Chelsea to Vitesse over 11 years.
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