Consortium involving ex-Brazil forward Pato seals Northampton takeover

The takeover of Northampton Town by a consortium including former AC Milan, Chelsea and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato has been completed.

Sports Alpha Capital (SAC) had their proposed deal with the Cobblers approved by the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) and English Football League (EFL) earlier this month.

SAC will take a 70% shareholding in Northampton Town Ventures Limited (NTVL) - the company which owns the majority of shares in the League Two club.

Existing owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will collectively retain a 30% shareholding.

Northampton confirmed the deal would leave them debt-free after announcing a pre-tax loss of just under £3m in April 2026.

The takeover will see Thomas step down as chairman after more than a decade in the role, though he - along with Bower and Le Quesne - will remain as shareholders and directors.

Thomas - who headed the takeover of the Cobblers when they faced a winding-up petition in 2015 - said it had been "an enormous privilege" to lead the club.

SAC's Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain will become co-chairmen, with Pato set to join the board as a director.

Copyright for this text belongs to BBC.