A Canadian now owns a stake in a low-tier European soccer team and it's not Ryan Reynolds

Montreal businessman Angelo Pasto is proud of his Italian roots. And now he is looking to do something for the region he came from, by way of buying a minority stake in the Campobasso 1919 soccer team.

The club, which rose out of the ashes of a franchise in financial distress, is currently playing in the Italian fifth tier but the new ownership group is dreaming big and enjoying the ride.

"Honestly it's the most fun I've had in a long time," said Pasto.

Pasto was drawn to soccer largely through his 18-year-old son, Aiden, who is a big fan. In 2021, they went to Naples to see a game.

"And I fell in love with the sport," Pasto said. "We thought about making an investment in a small team."

But it was just idle talk wishful thinking at the time.

Then one day he was watching a local multicultural TV channel and saw an interview with Matt Rizzetta, founder and chairman of North Sixth Group which has investments in marketing, media, technology, sports and entertainment.

The New York-based Rizzetta had just invested in Ascoli, a second-tier Italian soccer team, and was talking about getting involved in Campobasso.