France captain Kylian Mbappe, 25, has acquired an 80% stake in Ligue 2 club Caen through his company Interconnected Ventures, replacing US investment fund Oaktree as the majority shareholder.
The new Real Madrid player, who was courted by Caen at the age of 13 before joining Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, has taken this step to support the club’s strategic development and ambition.
The acquisition fee, estimated between 15-20 million euros (£12.7m-£16.8m) according to French media reports, has not been officially disclosed. However, Mbappe’s close friend Ziad Hammoud will assume the role of chairman. Hammoud aims to create an environment where young talent can flourish and the club can defend its identity with strength and ambition.
In a statement, the club emphasized that this transaction marks a significant milestone in their strategic development. Furthermore, it reinforces their ambition to remain one of the most successful clubs in French football. Consequently, Mbappe’s investment will enable Caen to strengthen its sporting policy, modernize its infrastructure, and develop innovative projects.
Founded in 1913, Caen finished fifth in the top flight in 1992 and reached the League Cup final in 2005. However, the club has played in France’s second tier since 2019. The mayor of Caen, Aristide Olivier, expressed pride in seeing a champion like Mbappe investing in the club. He acknowledged the impact of Mbappe’s time spent at Caen in his youth.
At 25 years old, Mbappe becomes one of the youngest owners of a professional club, thus demonstrating his commitment to supporting the growth and success of his former youth club. This move highlights Mbappe’s ambition to contribute to the development of French football beyond his playing career.
Coalition Capital annonce la reprise des parts d’Oaktree dans le @SMCaen aux côtés de PAC Invest. #SMCaen #TeamSMC
— Stade Malherbe Caen (@SMCaen) July 31, 2024
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