The London soccer club has announced that a group led by Todd Boyle, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, will acquire Chelsea for 4.25 billion pounds (4.9 billion euros).
“The sale is expected to be completed by the end of May, subject to all necessary regulatory approvals,” Chelsea FC added in a statement released on Friday evening.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale in March, days before it was hit with British sanctions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
After a lengthy bidding process involving multiple groups, Boehly and the co-investors were selected by the New York-based Raine Group, which is overseeing the sale.
The group of buyers includes Mark Walter, who is also a co-owner of the Dodgers, Swiss billionaire Hansjoerg Weiss, and US investment firm Clearlake Capital.
“Chelsea can confirm that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehle, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Weiss, for the acquisition of the club.”
“Of the total planned investment 2.5 billion pounds sterling [2,9 mil milhões de euros] It will be used to buy back the club’s shares and this amount will be deposited into a blocked UK bank account with the intent of donating 100% to charity, Roman Abramovich has agreed.”
In addition, the new owners have pledged to invest 1.75 billion pounds (2 billion euros) on behalf of the club, according to the statement.
