ORLANDO, Fla. (April 28, 2025) – Orlando City SC announced today a new affiliation agreement with Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), focusing on player development, scouting operations, executive collaboration, and commercial opportunities across both organizations.
The new multi-club partnership – spanning BKFC’s network of clubs including AFC Bournemouth (England), FC Lorient (France), Hibernian FC (Scotland) and Auckland FC (New Zealand) – aims to align elite talent development with operational best practices, leveraging each club’s strengths across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Black Knight Football Club,” said Senior Advisor to Ownership, Global Soccer Ventures Luiz Muzzi. “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.”
Key elements of the partnership include:
- Training & Development: Players and staff from both organizations will benefit from structured training periods and trials designed to cultivate talent and foster professional growth. These exchanges will provide unique opportunities for immersive development experiences within different competitive environments.
- Scouting & Best Practices: The partnership includes a dedicated focus on the exchange of scouting methodologies. Both clubs will share insights and best practices to optimize talent identification and recruitment strategies.
- Observational Visits & Exchanges: Staff from both organizations will participate in visitation programs to observe each other’s operations and share knowledge on coaching, player care, analytics, and front office management.
“In Orlando City SC we’ve found a like-minded partner in a geographic area that was a priority for us,” said BKFC President Tim Bezbatchenko. “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.”
This partnership represents a bold step in Orlando City SC’s continued evolution – deepening its international ties, enhancing player pathways and reaffirming its commitment to building a globally connected, forward-thinking sporting ecosystem.
About Black Knight Football Club
Black Knight Football Club, a partnership led by Bill Foley with significant ownership by Cannae Holdings, Inc., was formed in 2022 with the purchase of AFC Bournemouth of the Premier League. Its assets have since grown to include Auckland FC (New Zealand), FC Lorient (France) and Hibernian FC (Scotland). In each of BKFC’s endeavors, the group maintains a focus on the player and supporter experience, connection to each community and promotion of playing opportunities at all levels. BKFC has a fundamental commitment to providing the investment and resources necessary to build competitive clubs around the globe.
For more information on Black Knight Football Club, visit blackknightfootballclub.com.
