YANMAR ACQUIRES ALMERE CITY

Almere City FC has announced that KNVB’s professional football licensing commission has granted final approval for Yanmar’s acquisition of Almere City FC. This formally completes the acquisition, and the Japanese family-owned company is now officially 100% owner of Almere City FC.

With the acquisition, Almere City FC and Yanmar, which has been the club’s stadium sponsor for 10 years, are taking their long-standing partnership to the next level. “The final approval of the licensing commission means that the acquisition is now formally complete and therefore a fact,” said John Bes,general manager of Almere City FC. “This is a historic moment for our club. With Yanmar as the new owner and Kroonenberg Groep, the former owner, continuing as the main sponsor, we have a solid foundation to realise our ambitions in the coming years. It is confirmation of the confidence in Almere City’s strategy and future.”

Yanmar is also looking forward to the next phase of collaboration. Samir Laoukili, CEO of Yanmar Europe B.V., Yanmar’s EMEA headquarters based in Almere since 1989: “We are delighted that the licensing commission has granted its approval for the acquisition, thereby quickly making the transaction official. Almere City feels like a natural partner and we want to build together on sustainable sporting and social growth. We are committed to further strengthening the club with our football experience, international expertise and commitment to Almere. Football is our engine and, together with Almere City, we want to show that.”

Lesley Bamberger, CEO of Kroonenberg Groep, which owned Almere City FC from 2010 until today, had this to say about the finalisation of the acquisition: “We are proud of the foundation that has been laid at Almere City in recent years and pleased that it will continue to be built upon under Yanmar’s ownership. We wish them every success in doing so. The acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the club. Kroonenberg Groep will remain involved as the main sponsor and we look to the future with confidence.”

Yanmar is internationally known for its strong commitment to sports, and football in particular. Yanmar has owned Cerezo Osaka, one of Japan’s oldest professional football clubs, since 1957. Cerezo Osaka plays in the J1 League, Japan’s highest-level professional football league. With the completed acquisition of Almere City FC, Yanmar now owns the youngest professional football club in the Netherlands.