American billionaire Friedkin Group buys Everton FC as fans ‘look forward with hope and optimism’

Everton FC has been bought by The Friedkin Group.
Everton FC has been bought by the American billionaire Dan Friedkin Credit: PA Images

Everton Football Club is under new ownership after a takeover by the Friedkin Group - with fans saying they can now look forward with “hope and optimism”.A statement issued by the club said the Toffees had been acquired by Roundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, an entity within the Friedkin Group.

The group is led by the American billionaire Dan Friedkin, who also owns the Italian football team AS Roma.

In other business interests, Mr Friedkin is a film producer and his company is the distributor of Toyota cars in the USA.The club said the deal had received the necessary regulatory approvals from the Premier League, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Premier League’s statement confirmed the Friedkin Group had purchased a 98.8% stake in Everton.

Goodison Park Credit: stadium

It marks the end of a turbulent period for the club under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri.The club have twice been sanctioned under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the last 13 months, and had eight points in total deducted last season.

A statement from the Everton Fan Advisory Board (FAB) read: “Notwithstanding the development of our exceptional new home on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey, our recent history has been clouded by relegation battles, financial uncertainty, failed ownership bids, a leadership vacuum and unjust sporting sanctions.

“Today’s announcement provides the opportunity for Evertonians to once again look forward with hope and optimism.

“We note the terms of the deal which help create a stable financial platform for future growth, and the commitment that new board members, Dan Friedkin, Marc Watts and Ana Dunkel will lead ‘through actions, not words'.

“We believe that these steps are critical in helping realise the great potential of Everton Football Club.

“We are encouraged by the aims and ambitions that TFG have set out today and their stated core mission to go beyond the ordinary, lead through competence, innovation, teamwork and an eagerness to excel.

American billionaire Dan Friedkin is the new owner of Everton FC Credit: Everton FC

“Providing clarity and communicating about the road ahead will be essential. We recognise that change will not come overnight.

“We look forward to hearing more about their plans in the coming weeks and months and working alongside them to help achieve their aims of embracing the passion, creativity and values of Evertonians.”

Following the deal, the new owner released a letter to the fans saying they were honoured to become custodians of "his great institution" and they "fully understand the vital role Everton plays in local culture, history, and the lives of Evertonians here and around the world."

The full letter written to fans.

Dear Evertonians,

Following the completion of the takeover of Everton Football Club, I want to express my gratitude for your continued support and introduce the incoming Executive Chairman of Everton, Marc Watts.

I take immense pride in welcoming one of England’s most historic football clubs to our global family, The Friedkin Group.

Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution. The Friedkin Group is a diverse family of companies with a global footprint spanning industries such as sports, automotive, entertainment, hospitality, and adventure.

Across all our endeavours, we strive to deliver extraordinary experiences that ignite people’s passions. We are thrilled to bring this ethos to Everton and the Liverpool City Region.

Whilst we are new to the Club, we fully understand the vital role Everton plays in local culture, history, and the lives of Evertonians here and around the world.

We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city. Once again, thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Dan Friedkin

Marc Watts, incoming Executive Chairman of Everton Football Club, expressed his enthusiasm:"Today marks a momentous and proud occasion for The Friedkin Group as we become custodians of this iconic football club.

"We are committed to leading Everton into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch. Providing immediate financial stability to the Club has been a key priority, and we are delighted to have achieved this.

"While restoring Everton to its rightful place in the Premier League table will take time, today is the first step in that journey.”

Everton are in the process of building a new stadium on Liverpool's waterfront Credit: PA Images

Farhad Moshiri, the outgoing majority shareholder, stated: “I truly believe that the transaction with The Friedkin Group is the

best outcome for the Club and its future success... Despite a challenging geopolitical backdrop, a significant amount has been achieved over the last couple of years including the delivery of a new sporting department, the stabilisation of our finances and the delivery of our iconic new stadium.

I now hand over to new owners confident in the outlook for the Club and that our incredible fans will see the success on the pitch that they so thoroughly deserve.”

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