Hedge funds lured to potential of football profits

HEDGE funds have invested in wine, whiskey and movies in pursuit of returns that outpace stocks and bonds.

Now they’re taking on an even riskier bet — the search for soccer’s next Wayne Rooney.

For £250,000 (€372,536), investors will have the chance to buy a piece of the next potential superstar. Hero Investments and Sports Asset Capital, two British-registered funds plan to buy stakes in the contracts of younger athletes, then grab a slice of the transfer fees clubs pay to obtain players.