Gerard Lopez has sold Ligue 1 leaders Lille to Callisto, a subsidiary of the Merlyn Partners investment fund, a source close to the club told AFP on Friday.
This season they lead the league after 15 matches and have progressed from the group stages of the Champions League for only the second time, the previous occasion was in 2006. “Given the recent difficulties in Ligue 1 and in particular the uncertainty surrounding the TV rights contract for the French championship, it is important that the LOSC is owned by a reputable owner with recognised financial strength such as Merlyn,” Lopez said.
It said Lille’s “outstanding debt will be significantly reduced and new equity will be injected into the club.”Merlyn said it had hired Letang as CEO because it wanted “to build a new, experienced and strong leadership within the club.”