Five Footballers Who Have Moved From Football to Fintech Company Co-Founder
Having started out as a young professional in the world of football, Ken Waks has followed his passion for the game and aspired to become a fintech company co-founder. While the decision to leave the game to pursue a career in finance may seem like a risky move, Waks says it’s one that has been worth it. He’s learned that the best way to become successful in business is to always be willing to learn and take advice.
Mathieu Flamini
During his time at Arsenal, Mathieu Flamini’s football career saw him play in the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Community Shield. He also played for the France national team. In all, he played in a total of 49 matches during the 2005-06 season.
He has also been recognised as one of the top 100 business leaders of 2018. He is currently the CEO of GFBiochemicals, an innovative company that produces levulinic acid from waste wood. This chemical can be used in plastics, air fresheners, perfumes and fuels. It is also used as a biodegradable herbicide. The company’s goal is to create a sustainable alternative to oil-based products.
GFBiochemicals has offices in Italy and the Netherlands. It has also acquired an American company called Segertis.
Sophie Flynn
Among the plethora of females in tech, Sophie Flynn has always stood out. She has been a force to be reckoned with since the age of eleven, when she was named the star of her school’s all-girls team. She has been a pillar of the community ever since, and continues to lead the charge.
She is currently the chief financial officer of the payments platform Transact365. In addition to her fintech role, she is the chief marketing officer at Blackburn Rovers Ladies, one of the country’s oldest women’s football clubs. A former professional footballer herself, she remains a fan of the game, and has not forgotten her roots. In fact, she rekindled her relationship with the club, after a brief stint at Liverpool Ladies.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
Often regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, Grzegorz Krychowiak has been playing football since he was a child. After spending his childhood in Poland, he started his professional football career with French club Bordeaux. He was later signed by Sevilla, where he helped the club to retain the Europa League.
In his first season at Bordeaux, Krychowiak played in a number of positions, including in the centre back and midfield positions. He scored twice, and was voted the team’s player of the season. His tackling was also noted.
Krychowiak made his league debut with Bordeaux, and he helped them gain promotion to Ligue 2. He made seven appearances in the season, and scored once. He also had one appearance for Poland’s U21 team.
Sven-Goran Ibrahimovic
Whether or not he goes the way of the dinosaurs, Sven-Goran Eriksson will certainly be remembered for his tenure as England’s most successful manager in the club’s storied history. In the ten years since he took the reins, he has been a thorn in the side of the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, and, of course, Wayne Rooney.
In fact, Sven-Goran is the only manager to have played the majority of England’s matches at Old Trafford since its inception. During his tenure, he has guided England to the quarter finals of the European Cup, a slew of European Cup qualifikations and a plethora of European club cups. In addition, he has been credited with securing a number of other noteworthy achievements, including the most goals scored by an England team in the English top flight since the league’s inception.
