Preeminent Sports Team advise on Leeds United takeover

24th May 2017

The Walker Morris Sports Team have reaffirmed their specialist expertise with their third football acquisition/sale in a week.

Specialist sports lawyers at Walker Morris have advised Eleonora Sport Limited on the sale of the remaining 50% shares in Leeds United Football Club Limited to Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd, owned by Italian business man Mr Andrea Radrizzani.

The Sports Team originally advised on the sale of the initial 50% of the club in December last year from Eleonora Sport to Greenfield Investment. Eleonora Sport, which is run by the Cellino family, retained a 50% stake.

Radrizzani has now acquired the remaining 50% from Massimo Cellino and in doing so has taken full control of the club and become Chairman.

This deal is the latest in a run of successful football club acquisitions/sales for the Sports Team as it continues to build on its reputation as national leaders in sports law. The Team has also advised on two further high profile deals in the last seven days including: advising Renhe Sports Management Co Limited on its acquisition of 75% of Reading Football Club and advising NF Football Investments Limited on its acquisition of Nottingham Forest Football Club.

The Walker Morris Team was led by David Hinchliffe and comprised Christian Slinger.

Massimo Cellino commented:

“I have been proud to work at Leeds United, with nice people who have worked at the club with me. If you can survive working with me, you can survive anything!”

David Hinchliffe, Head of Sport at Walker Morris added:

“We are delighted to have advised Eleonora Sports on this latest deal for Massimo Cellino and everyone involved with Leeds United. This latest deal marks the latest in a number of sales and acquisitions of football clubs over the last week and continues to reinforce our specialist expertise in managing complex football club sales and acquisitions.”