Drake’s investment in Venezia marks his first significant foray into European soccer. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Apex, the sports investment firm that has a minority stake in Italian soccer club Venezia, has announced international music star Drake as another investor into the team.

The deal, conducted directly by Drake, has immediately resulted in Nocta, a clothing brand owned by Drake and created alongside NIKE, being announced as the official Venezia kit supplier.

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In addition, the DrewCrew agency run by Drake “will be closely involved in the club’s commercial, e-commerce and merchandise strategy.”

Apex was announced as an investor in Venezia in early July, in a deal finalized before the club’s promotion back to the top-flight Serie A.

The deal involves the investment company working with the club’s management and operational teams to enhance key business strategies and operational efficiencies.

Venezia is majority-owned by a consortium of investors led by Duncan Niederauer, a former chief executive of the New York Stock Exchange.

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The previous Venezia kit partner, meanwhile, was Italian sportswear brand Kappa, before which Nike had supplied the club’s kit since 2014.

Venezia were promoted back to Serie A in early June, following a playoff final.

In addition to the kit deal, it has been reported in some Italian media that Drake and other associates were part of the original group of investors who bought into Venezia earlier this year.

Indeed, it has been reported that the club were on the edge of financial oblivion before that group, including Apex, helped raise as much as €40 million.

Edited: An earlier version of this story initially said that Apex had been responsible for bringing Drake’s investment to Venezia.