Caen co-owner announces departure of Inter Milan-linked Oaktree investment fund | OneFootball

SM Caen’s co-owner, Pierre-Antoine Capton, has announced in an interview with Ouest France the departure of the American investment fund Oaktree from the club.

Oaktree had invested in Caen in 2020 bringing in significant investment to the northern French side when they were on the brink of bankruptcy. However, they now plan to end their co-ownership of Caen, with Capton expected to reacquire 100% of the shares for the team.

The fund are also linked with Inter Milan. In 2021, they provided a loan of $336 million to Inter’s owner Suning’s Holding Group, which was guaranteed against Sunning’s 65% share in the club. In the case of a default on the loan, Oaktree could theoretically take over the Italian team. A possibility that could be a touch more likely according to a recent report by Corriere dello Sport.

‘The challenge for Oaktree was to recover the money they had invested‘

Speaking to Ouest France, Capton admits that it was not the plan for the club that Oaktree would leave. However, he explains, “ Like any investment fund, the challenge for them was to recover the money they had invested. We are finalizing the final details of an agreement.”

“A solution had to be found. Oaktree arrived at a time when the club was close to filing for bankruptcy.” The current co-owner continues, “We have rebuilt a model in which the club is doing a little better. I did not intend to buy back 100% of the shares in Caen but the fact that Oaktree were closing their fund in Paris forced us to find a solution.”

However, Capton has already restarted his search for outside investment, “To find other partners to ensure the sustainability of the club and build an ambitious project, respecting the DNA of what Caen is.”

Capton was clear that he was grateful for what Oaktree had provided during their four-year stay at the club, “I thank Oaktree again, and particularly Vincent Catherine. They were there to save the club. However, it’s a pragmatic American investment fund which wants to recover investment. They were not here to give gifts. They were looking for the best possible financial solution regarding the shares they held.”

GFFN | Nick Hartland