Nearly a year to the day of New York City F.C.’s creation, Manchester City have now announced an ownership stake in their third satellite club.
City have taken a 20% stake in J-League side Yokohama F-Marino, with current owners Nissan retaining their 80% investment.
The club has not won their league since 2004.
Manchester looks to change that.
“We’re thrilled to be able to play a role in investing and building on the on-going success of YF Marinos,” said Ferran Soriano, City Football Group CEO said in a statement. “We are proud to offer a collaborative and integrated approach to the football, marketing, media and commercial development of all the clubs in the City family.
“At the same time, we are proud that each of our clubs is firmly rooted and invested in its local community as well as connected and engaged with its supporter base. We are very much looking forward to starting our collaboration.”
“The YF Marinos is an excellent soccer club with a rich history which has grown hand in hand with Nissan. Together we see opportunities that CFG’s global soccer infrastructure will bring to the club and the excitement it will bring to the fans,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan President and CEO. “This partnership will contribute to the growth of the club, the growth of our shared hometown, Yokohama, as well as Yokosuka and Japanese soccer.”
City will offer Marinos “unrivalled access to CFG’s training methods, medical care, sport science, team management and coaching know-how” while leaving the day-to-day operations in the hands of the current ownership group.
“This collaboration presents a fantastic opportunity to boost the support and growth of our club, not only in the community through youth sport investment and increased attendance, but also internationally by attracting more sponsors and supporting the national team efforts.
“Over the last four years we have undergone significant reform within the club with the clear goal of becoming a leading club in Japan and we have achieved our target successfully,” Akira Kaetsu, YF Marinos President said. “Now, alongside CFG we look forward to building on that foundation to take YF Marinos into the wider Asian and World arenas.”
YF Marinos becomes the third club in less than 12 months to become part of City Football Group.
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