Chelsea owners have agreed to buy majority ownership in Strasbourg.
American investment group Clearlake Capital, which owns Chelsea FC, has struck an agreement for the acquisition of Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, with Marc Keller remaining as president.
BlueCo, the company that bought Chelsea last year, has agreed to become owners of Racing Strasbourg, the Premier League team said on Thursday.
BlueCo will make investments in Strasbourg’s first teams and academy. The club’s president, Marc Keller, will remain in that position. He took up the position in 2012 when the organization was on the edge of folding.
Officially, BlueCo has agreed to become new shareholders of French side Strasbourg.
Strasbourg have now risen from the third division to Ligue 1. They spent the previous six seasons, winning the French League Cup in 2019. Last season, they finished 15th in Ligue 1.
Strasbourg president Keller submitted to the DNCG – Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, French football’s financial watchdog – this Thursday the entry of foreign capital in the Alsace club from new investors, namely Todd Boehly, Hansjörg Wyss, and Mark Walter, all of whom have been involved with Chelsea since May 2022.
Several days ago, when talks with Chelsea about a potential club acquisition were still ongoing.
Chelsea owners have agreed to purchase a controlling share in Strasbourg
BlueCo (Chelsea Ownership) Issues a Press Release Regarding RC Strasbourg:
“It is a privilege for us to be a part of this historic club.”
We are dedicated to maintaining Racing’s history and to working closely with Marc and his management team to build on the fantastic job they have already done.
RMC Sport thinks Keller received promises from Clearlake that he would stay president of Strasbourg for several years.
Clearlake Capital’s objective, according to the publication, is to acquire two to three football teams in order to increase their player pool and build synergies amongst the investment firm-owned organizations. The general aim is to have sibling teams, with each club retaining its basic character.
RMC Sport adds that the Ligue 1 club’s financial resources will be significantly increased. The takeover will therefore aid Strasbourg’s renovation efforts, ranging from the training fields to the La Meinau Stadium.
