Almere City come under new Japanese ownership | OneFootball

Almere City announced new Japanese ownership on Monday. Yanmar, the stadium’s namesake since 2015, has reached an agreement with the Kroonenberg Group on the takeover of all shares of the club and the stadium. The KNVB licensing committee still has to approve the deal.

Almere City have been owned by Lesley Bamberger since 2010, but the CEO of the Kroonenberg Group now believes it is a good time to transfer the club to Yanmar.

The Japanese family business has had a branch in Almere since 1989 and already had ties with the club, who were relegated from the Eredivisie again last season after its historic promotion in 2023. Kroonenberg will remain involved with the club as main sponsor.

“We are convinced that Yanmar can take Almere City further, both on and off the pitch”, Bamberger responded in a press release. “This takeover is the result of a careful process and a shared vision with Yanmar on the future and continuity of the club. We are therefore delighted with this step and believe that the club will have a strong future with it, of which we would like to remain a part.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield