SportsBusiness: Group seals takeover of Everton in deal worth around £400m

An American organisation, the Friedkin Group has completed its takeover of Everton, ending the tenure of Farhad Moshiri at the helms of the Premier League club.

The Texas-based group is led by chairman Dan Friedkin, with a net worth of £6.16bn according to Forbes, and he also owns Italian Serie A club Roma.

The deal for 99.5% of the club is believed to be worth in excess of £400m, and has now been acquired by Roundhouse Capital Holdings, an entity within the Friedkin Group.

“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.

“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,” Friedkin said in an open letter.

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According to reports, British-Iranian businessman Moshiri first bought a 49.9% stake in Everton in 2016, before increasing his holding to 94.1% in 2022.

Everton, who have not played outside the top flight since 1953–54, have been in the bottom half of the Premier League for the past three seasons – finishing 16th, 17th and 15th – and are at the wrong end again in 16th.

Friedkin has been proposed as the chairman of Everton’s board, with Marc Watts serving as executive chairman.

Watts said: “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.”

With this takeover completed, the Toffees become the 10th club in the Premier League under majority American control.

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