Will Ferrell, the Hollywood actor, is to be announced as a Leeds United co-owner after joining high-profile backers of the US firm that bought the club last summer.

The Anchorman and Elf actor joins Russell Crowe, golfer Jordan Spieth and record-breaking Olympian Michael Phelps as investors in 49ers Enterprises.

Ferrell is said to have purchased a “significant” minority shareholding in the San Francisco-based ownership group that purchased the club from Andrea Radrizzani.

Sources confirmed a report in The Sun newspaper that Ferrell, an increasingly keen football enthusiast, sees his investment at Leeds as “a serious investment opportunity”.

Ferrell, who has an estimated wealth of £127 million, is already co-owner of Los Angeles FC. While watching matches in England last season, he was interviewed by Sky Sports, saying: “I don’t really have a side over here – I just enjoy following all the storylines – it’s obviously a very good league.”