Historic Potential: Egyptian Businessman Eyes Hungarian Football Team Acquisition
An Egyptian businessman has set his sights on acquiring the Hungarian football club FC Ajka, a team that competes in the second tier of Hungarian football, NB II. Reports suggest that the businessman or his company have already expressed their intention to purchase the club, with the transaction seemingly progressing towards completion.
The process began with the unanimous approval of Ajka’s city council on September 25th to purchase the 49% share of the company operating FC Ajka from the FC Ajka Sportegyesület. The acquisition was made for approximately HUF 1.5 million (EUR 3,737), giving the local government full ownership of the club, as previously they held a 51% majority stake.
The mayor of Ajka, Béla Schwartz, has refrained from divulging all the details of the deal but has acknowledged the interest shown by both Hungarian and foreign parties in acquiring the club. He emphasized that the sale was not intended to be a complete divestment of the club but rather a partnership with an investor who could bring new opportunities and perspectives to the team’s future.
It is important to note that the sale will only include the rights associated with the team’s participation in NB II matches, such as the playing license and player rights. Assets such as real estate and property owned by the municipality will be transferred to a new local company before the sale.
The decision to sell the club was prompted by recent economic developments and proposed laws that could reduce municipal funding for the team. The mayor stated that the city has reached its financial limits and will not be able to sustain the necessary funding for the team’s operations in the future.
While the city council does not plan to relinquish complete control of the club, the new owner will have the opportunity to provide a new vision for the team. Ajka will still maintain an interest in the direction and oversight of the club, ensuring that it continues to thrive under new ownership.
