China invests big in European football clubs

Ludovic Ehret, Agence France-Presse

   Apr 14 2017

Here is a rundown of the main Chinese investment in clubs in Europe's major leagues:

ENGLAND

MANCHESTER CITY 

A consortium of Chinese state investment funds, China Media Capital and CITIC Capital, bought about 13 percent of City Football Group which controls Premier League giants Manchester City, New York City in the US Major League Soccer and Melbourne City in Australia. This month the group bought Uruguayan side Atletico Torque and they also have a minority stake in Japan's Yokohama Marinos. The deal was worth about 265 million pounds (350 million euros/$400 million). 

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Yunyi Guokai Sports Development, a Chinese investment fund headed by construction tycoon Lai Guochuan, bought an 88 percent stake in Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, for an estimated $250 million (230 million euros) in August 2016. Guochan says his aim is to establish Albion at the top of the league but he has not yet spent big at the club. The purchase completed a Chinese sweep of nearly all the top clubs around the Midlands city of Birmingham.

ASTON VILLA

Recon Holdings, a fund controlled by businessman Tony Xia, acquired Championship side Aston Villa, based in Birmingham, for 76.5 million pounds ($96 million) in June 2016. Recon specializes in information technology, healthcare, logistics and culture. Xia replaced coach Roberto di Matteo with Steve Bruce after just 11 games. Villa are not yet close to getting back into the Premier League however. Xia said this week that life in the Championship was "unpredictable".

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

The Fosun conglomerate, which owns the Club Med holiday resorts and is owned by Guo Guangchang, one of China's biggest tycoons, bought Wolves in July 2016 for an estimated 45 million pounds ($59 million), according to British media. Guo's group also said they wanted a place in the Premier League, but Wolves are stuck in 15th place in the Championship.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Trillion Trophy Asia (TTA), headed by Hong Kong businessman Paul Suen, paid an estimated 12.3 million pounds ($15.4 million) for a 50.6 percent stake in Championship side Birmingham City who had been in receivership. Suen has provided new finances for Birmingham boss Gianfranco Zola, but the team are 18th in the second tier.

FRANCE

FC SOCHAUX

The historic French club of car-maker Peugeot has been owned by a Chinese LED lighting manufacturer since 2015. The Hong Kong-based company, whose parent company Tech Pro is based in the Cayman Islands, acquired the club for 7 million euros ($7.9 million). Some supporters have criticised the new owners who have faced financial troubles in Hong Kong. The club are struggling in mid-table in the second tier.

AJ AUXERRE 

ORG Packaging Co Ltd, which specialises in metal can packaging, first invested 7 million euros ($7.7 million) to buy 60 percent of the French club in June last year, then increased its stake to 77 percent. James Zhou, the head of ORG, is particularly interested in Auxerre's reputation for bringing on young players, expertise that he hopes to export to China. The club hit trouble with fans after promising that former international Jean-Pierre Papin would become coach. Papin did not sign and Auxerre, once established in the top flight and French champions in 1996, are now 17th in the second division.

NICE 

Since June, Nice counts among its shareholders Alex Zheng, chairman of the Chinese hotel group Plateno. Along with three Americans, including one of Chinese descent, the four men own 80 percent of the club, bought at an estimated 20 million euros ($21 million). Nice are challenging for a Champions League place having led Ligue 1 for much of the season.

LYON

The club sold 20 percent of its listed company OL Groupe to the Chinese investment fund IDG Capital Partners for 100 million euros ($112 million). In December, the club established a joint venture with IDG-backed Beijing Xingzhi Technology to operate football training centres in China.

ITALY

INTER MILAN 

Suning, a leading Chinese appliance retailer, controlled by billionaire Zhang Jindong, spent 270 million euros ($287 million) to buy a 68 percent stake in Inter Milan. The company also owns Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, based in the eastern city of Nanjing and who have former Chelsea player Ramires on their books. With the takeover of AC Milan, both of the legendary Milan clubs are now Chinese controlled.

SPAIN

RCD ESPANYOL 

Rastar, a Chinese manufacturer of toys, online games and model cars, has built up a 90 percent plus stake in Barcelona's second side, Espanyol, since November 2015. The new president of Espanyol is 46-year-old businessman Chen Yansheng, who has already invested more than 150 million euros ($160 million) in the club, according to Spanish media.

ATLETICO MADRID 

Wanda Group, China's largest commercial property company, spent 45 million euros ($48 million) to acquire 20 percent of the capital of Atletico Madrid, Champions League finalists in 2014 and 2016. Wanda boss Wang Jianlin is China's second richest man, with a fortune estimated at $31 billion, according to Bloomberg. 

GRANADA CF

Chinese businessman Jiang Lizhang is now chairman of the board of directors for the Liga club and owns 98 percent of its shares. The Spanish press said he paid 37 million euros ($39 million) for the deal. Jiang also owns Chinese top-flight side Chongqing Dangdai Lifan and is co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA franchise. He is the founder of Double-Edged Sports (DeSports), a company specialising in marketing and sports rights. 

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE

CEFC Energy, an energy and services provider and one of China's biggest companies, bought up Slavia Prague in November 2015, in parallel to a series of major deals in the Czech Republic.

United Vansen took over Dutch side Den Haag in 2014. But its owner Wang Hui has been bitterly criticised by fans for not providing promised cash. A Dutch court has ordered Wang to hand over the finance.