Manchester City Secure Minority Share in J-League’s YF Marinos

Premier League champions Manchester City have expanded their portfolio of owning football teams by becoming a a minority shareholder of the Yokohama F Marinos (YF Marinos) in the J-League.

The deal represents the first significant foreign investment in a J-League soccer club and has been designed to create new global opportunities for the YF Marinos and Japanese soccer talent. 

The agreement will see CFG collaborate with YF Marinos, exposing them to a world-class soccer infrastructure and network not seen before in the J-League .

This is also not Manchester City’s first foray in owning foreign teams after securing deals with A-League’s Melbourne Heart and MLS’ New York City Football Club.

“The YF Marinos is an excellent soccer club with a rich history which has grown hand in hand with Nissan. Together we see opportunities that CFG’s global soccer infrastructure will bring to the club and the excitement it will bring to the fans,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan President and CEO. “This partnership will contribute to the growth of the club, the growth of our shared hometown, Yokohama, as well as Yokosuka and Japanese soccer.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to play a role in investing and building on the on-going success of YF Marinos,” said Ferran Soriano, CEO, City Football Group. “We are proud to offer a collaborative and integrated approach to the football, marketing, media and commercial development of all the clubs in the City family.

“At the same time, we are proud that each of our clubs is firmly rooted and invested in its local community as well as connected and engaged with its supporter base. We are very much looking forward to starting our collaboration.”

In forming this partnership, YF Marinos will gain unrivalled access to CFG’s training methods, medical care, sport science, team management and coaching know-how, providing a motivational draw for young Japanese players and placing the club in pole position to support the national team efforts of creating a world-class team for the future.

Akira Kaetsu, YF Marinos President commented: “This collaboration presents a fantastic opportunity to boost the support and growth of our club, not only in the community through youth sport investment and increased attendance, but also internationally by attracting more sponsors and supporting the national team efforts.

“Over the last four years we have undergone significant reform within the club with the clear goal of becoming a leading club in Japan and we have achieved our target successfully. Now, alongside CFG we look forward to building on that foundation to take YF Marinos into the wider Asian and World arenas.”

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