City Football Group is strengthening its grip on global soccer by adding a 13th club to its portfolio.
The holding company has completed its acquisition of a 90% stake in first-tier Brazilian soccer club Esporte Clube Bahia in a deal reportedly valued at $200 million. Bahia marks CFG’s second-largest club investment after Manchester City, according to The Athletic.
City Football Group’s international soccer conglomerate spans clubs on every continent except Africa. Its flagship club remains Premier League champions Manchester City, but its other clubs include MLS’ NYCFC, Australia’s Melbourne City FC, and French Ligue 1 side Troyes AC.
Bahia, which plays in Brasileiro Série A, had been in talks with CFG since last year. The remaining 10% of the team will be owned by elected club administrators.
Manchester City is valued around $4.25 billion, ranking among the world’s most valuable soccer clubs.
The UAE royal family’s Abu Dhabi United Group owns an 81% majority stake in CFG, and about 18% of the company is owned by the private equity firm Silver Lake.
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