The trend of Americans investing in European soccer teams has continued, as American businessman and former CEO of FuboTV, John Textor, has added Belgian team RWD Molenbeek to his sporting portfolio.
Textor, who owns 18% of Crystal Palace of the English Premier League and recently bought 90% of Brazilian team Botafogo, has become the majority shareholder in the Brussels-based team.
The RWDM chairman, Thierry Dailly, who sold 80% of the club to the American, will remain in the position of chairman and day-to-day operations.
“We are very much looking forward to working with Mr. Textor, who has a huge passion for football, for the development of young talent and the RWDM Academy,” Thierry told the press on Wednesday.
“We also use this good news to thank the municipality of Molenbeek, all employees, volunteers, partners and supporters of the RWDM for their loyalty during the past years and we are counting on them to continue writing history together in the near future.”
The team that plays its home games in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek at Edmond Machtens Stadium, are currently in third place in the First Division B.
They are currently 11 points out of first place, where KVC Westerlo now sits. Only the division winner has an automatic promotion spot to Belgium’s top flight, with the second place team entering into a playoff round with the team that finishes in 17th place of the 18-team First Division A, which is also known as the Pro League.
Currently in second place, just a point ahead of Molenbeek, is Waasland-Beveren, which currently has Americans Joe Efford and Jacob Montes on their books.
Interesting to note is that the Flemish team is own by Bolt Football Holdings, a group run by David Blitzer, who also has a stake in Crystal Palace as well as American sports teams the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns and the New Jersey Devils.
Molenbeek’s next competitive game will be on January 21st, when they host seventh place Lommel.
