Burnley Owners Velocity Sports Partners Completes Majority Takeover Of La Liga Club Espanyol

‎The American owners of Premier League club Burnley have completed a majority takeover of Spanish side Espanyol, the LaLiga team announced on Thursday.

‎Velocity Sports Partners, headed by American businessman Alan Pace, led the acquisition. According to British media, the deal is valued at up to €200 million ($232.32 million).

‎It brings an end to the Chinese conglomerate Rastar Group’s nine-year ownership of Espanyol.

‎”Football has always belonged to its people,” said Pace, who has served as Burnley chairman since 2020.

‎”This is not about ownership; it’s about stewardship. Burnley will remain Burnley. Espanyol will remain Espanyol. Each club will retain its own leadership, identity, independence, and decision-making, run by its own people, for its own supporters.

‎”We are here to do the work. Honestly, carefully, and openly. To respect the past, support the present, and shape a future worthy of both clubs’ proud traditions. This is how football evolves, with its people, for its people, and always for the beautiful game.”

‎VLC’s investment in Espanyol sees them become the latest group to partake in multiclub ownership.

‎Pace emphasised that both Espanyol and Burnley would retain their unique identities, leadership structures, and independence.

‎What’s the state of Espanyol

‎Espanyol, based in Barcelona, has a long history in Spanish football, founded in 1900. The club has spent most of its existence in La Liga and is known for its passionate supporters.

‎Since 2015, Espanyol has been owned by the Rastar Group, led by Chen Yansheng.

‎In that period, the club has suffered two relegations from La Liga, but they earned promotion back to the top flight in 2024 and remained there in the following season.

‎They have started the new campaign strongly, picking up 12 points from their first eight matches to sit ninth in La Liga ahead of the international break.