Burnley owners acquire majority stake in Espanyol
The American owners of English Premier League club Burnley have agreed a majority takeover of LaLiga side Espanyol, the Spanish team has announced.
Velocity Sports Partners, led by American businessman Alan Pace, completed a deal for Espanyol which was worth up to €200 million ($352.7 million), British media reported.
The deal ends Chinese conglomerate Rastar Group's nine-year ownership of the LaLiga club.
"Football has always belonged to its people," Pace, who has served as Burnley chairman since 2020, said.
"Our role is not to replace legacy, but to build upon it, with care, with clarity, and with purpose. This is not about ownership; it's about stewardship."
Pace emphasised that both Espanyol and Burnley would retain unique identities, leadership structures, and independence.
"Burnley will remain Burnley. Espanyol will remain Espanyol," he said.
Espanyol, based in Barcelona and founded in 1900, has a rich history in Spanish football.
The club has spent the majority of its existence in LaLiga and boasts a passionate following.
