Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has bought a 19.1 percent stake in Melbourne Victory with the option to increase his ownership over time, the Australian club said Thursday.

Professional poker player Bloom is the owner of Premier League Brighton and also an investor in Belgian first division team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The 54-year-old Englishman bought Brighton in 2009 and turned them into an established Premier League club renowned for their canny dealings in the transfer market.

"My investment reflects my confidence in the club's vision and leadership," Bloom, whose wife is Australian, said in a statement released by the A-League side.

"I see tremendous potential in the club for further growth and success, both on and off the pitch."

Melbourne Victory chairman John Dovaston said that Bloom's "wealth of experience and expertise in football is well recognised, with Brighton and Hove Albion being widely regarded as one of the best-run teams in the EPL".

He added: "While the investment is independent of Tony's other footballing interests, we are confident that being able to leverage Tony's network at Brighton and beyond will help propel Melbourne Victory forward with a further strengthened capital base."

Melbourne Victory have won the A-League four times, most recently in 2018.