The American owners of English Premier League club Burnley have agreed to a majority takeover of La Liga side Espanyol, the Spanish team announced on Thursday.
Velocity Sports Partners, led by American businessman Alan Pace, has completed a deal for Espanyol valued at up to 200 million euros ($232.32 million), British media said. The deal ends nine years of ownership of the club by Chinese conglomerate Rastar Group.
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“Football has always belonged to the people,” said Pace, who has been Burnley chairman since 2020. “Our role is not to replace the legacy, but to build on it, with care, with clarity and with purpose. This is not about ownership; it is about stewardship.”
Pace stressed that both Espanyol and Burnley would retain their unique identities, leadership structures and independence. «Burnley will remain Burnley. Espanyol will remain Espanyol,» he said.
Based in Barcelona, Espanyol has a rich history in Spanish football, having been founded in 1900. The club has spent most of its existence in La Liga and boasts a passionate following.
Published on October 9, 2025
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