Interconnected Ventures, the company owned by Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has purchased a majority stake in the French second-division club, Stade Malherbe Caen (FC Caen), reportedly worth 15 million euros.
The French captain acquired 80 percent of Caen's shares through Coalition Capital as an investment entity from Interconnected Ventures, to replace the previous majority shareholder, Oaktree from the United States.
Interconnected Ventures and Mbappe personally have not announced details of the share purchase and the amount of acquisition costs disbursed to take over Caen. However, a number of media in Europe reported that Mbappe spent around 15-20 million euros.
"This transaction marks a significant step in the club's strategic development and strengthens the ambition to remain one of the most successful clubs in French football," said Caen's official statement as reported by AFP on Wednesday (31/7) local time.
"This acquisition will provide Caen with additional strategic resources to strengthen its sports policy, modernize its infrastructure and develop innovative projects," they said.
Interconnected Ventures CEO and Mbappe's close friend Ziad Hammoud will take over as chairman of Stade Malherbe Caen.
"We are committed to creating an environment where young talent can grow and the club must maintain its identity with strength and ambition," Hammoud said in a press release.
The acquisition makes Kylian Mbappe, 25, the youngest owner of a professional football club.
Interestingly, Mbappe almost joined Caen when he was 13, but ended up joining AS Monaco's academy when he was 14.
"You would think that his time at Caen as a young man has left a lasting impression on him! How proud we are to see a champion like @KMbappe investing in @SMCaen," Caen mayor Aristide Olivier wrote on social media.
Founded in 1913, Stade Malherbe Caen finished fifth in the French top flight in 1992 and reached the Coupe de la Ligue final in 2005. However, they have been relegated to the second division since 2019.