The ballboy who was famously kicked by footballer Eden Hazard has sold his vodka business for a staggering £300 million.
Charlie Morgan was just 17 when he made headlines around the world after Chelsea’s Hazard kicked him during a 2013 match against Swansea City.
More than a decade later, Morgan, 31, is now renowned for creating one of the most premium alcohol brands in the world with his Swansea-based Au Vodka.
Co-founded by Morgan and his partner Jackson Quinn in 2015, Au Vodka has now reportedly been bought by US drinks giant Sazerac.
The financial terms have not yet been officially disclosed; however, Reuters reported that the deal is worth roughly £300million.
Known for its distinctive gold bottle design, the Welsh business has featured celebrity endorsements from the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Ronaldinho.
It also grew rapidly following investment from DJ Charlie Sloth, with more than 80 people employed in South Wales for the company.
Sazerac chief executive Jake Wenz said the company had enjoyed a ‘phenomenal growth trajectory’ since being founded in Swansea.
‘Au Vodka is a brand we’ve long admired,’ he said.
‘What Charlie, Jackson, and Charlie have achieved in just over a decade is spectacular and rare, and we have big plans for Au as we welcome the brand into the Sazerac family.’
He added that the takeover would strengthen Sazerac’s position in the UK while creating ‘a path for continued global growth’ for Au Vodka.
Morgan said the pair had started the business with ‘nothing but an idea and a belief that vodka didn’t have to be boring’.
‘We are proud to have built it into one of the most disruptive brands of this generation,’ he said.
‘With Sazerac, Au can be offered to more people, in more markets, faster than we ever could alone.’
The acquisition also adds Au Vodka to Sazerac’s portfolio of more than 500 brands, including BuzzBallz and Southern Comfort.
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