Ex-Chelsea and AC Milan star Pato becomes owner of English fourth-tier side?

The trend of buying football clubs among the active and former players has been ongoing for a couple of years, and apparently, its end isn't near.

One of its pioneers was David Beckham, who became the Inter Miami co-owner, and then this tendency continued with Ronaldo Nazario (Real Valladolid), Luka Modric (Swansea), Kylian Mbappe (Caen), and many other famous individuals from the football world.

If the latest information is to be believed, this list will soon become longer by another renowned football name, as the former AC Milan and Chelsea star and Brazilian international, Alexandre Pato, is about to venture into club ownership and purchase English fourth-tier side Colchester United.

According to the Colchester Gazette, the 36-year-old has already met with the club's current owner, Robbie Cowling, who's been looking to sell the popular U's since last September, after being at its head for 19 years.

Pato reportedly watched Colchester's 2-1 home victory over Fleetwood at the JobServe Community Stadium, fueling speculations that he'd take over the club.

The U's currently sit in eighth place in League Two, three points below the play-off zone.

New job for Eden Hazard – wine production

The seasons 2006/2007 and 2007/2008, which Colchester spent in the Championship, were their most outstanding league achievements, as they spent most of their history balancing between the third and fourth flights of English football.

Pato's eventual arrival could completely change the fortunes of this small club from the southeast of England.