KKR-Backed Group to Acquire 42% Stake in Spanish Club Valencia

Valencia CF announced on Friday that it has agreed to sell a 42% stake to an investment group backed by prominent private equity figures George Roberts and Henry Kravis, co-founders of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. The transaction values the Spanish football club at €1.25 billion, equivalent to approximately US$1.4 billion.

The deal represents a significant injection of capital into one of La Liga's historic institutions. Valencia CF, based in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia, has won six La Liga titles and has been a regular competitor in European club competitions throughout its history.

The investment group's entry into the club marks a notable example of private equity interest in European football, a sector that has seen increased institutional investment in recent years. Roberts and Kravis, who built KKR into one of the world's largest private equity firms, have previously diversified their investment portfolios beyond traditional buyout operations.

The transaction is expected to provide Valencia CF with resources to strengthen its competitive position and pursue strategic objectives. Details regarding the governance structure and management implications of the investment were not immediately disclosed.