US EditionBlack Knight Becomes Sole Shareholder of Ligue 1 Lorient as Part of Multi-Club Ownership Strategy
Black Knight Football Club led by Bill Foley fully acquires FC Lorient with $550 million equity to support long-term growth in a competitive Ligue 1 environment.
- On Wednesday, FC Lorient announced the Black Knight Football Club group became its sole shareholder after purchasing the remaining 60 per cent stake it did not already hold.
- BKFC framed the purchase as part of its multi-club ownership strategy after more than two years of partnership, while FC Lorient said the move follows a strategic agreement to strengthen long-term development.
- The takeover positions Lorient as the second club BKFC has a 100 per cent stake in after Bournemouth, with over $550 million in equity, Lorient said, within its broader network including Moreirense FC and Auckland FC.
- Lorient named Loïc Féry president and BKFC shareholder, ensuring leadership continuity as the takeover arrives midseason with Lorient ninth in Ligue 1 after 19 matches.
- Foley said BKFC's strategy of 'building bridges' benefits development, citing player moves like Dango Ouattara and Junior Kroupi joining Bournemouth from Lorient.
19 Articles
19 Articles
The Breton club announced on Wednesday 28 January that it was under the total control of an American investment fund. Its supporters fear that it will lose its soul there.
The U.S. investment fund Black Knight, which already owned 40% of CF Lorient, bought the shares of President Loïc Féry for total control.
Loïc Féry remains president of FC Lorient, but he is no longer the majority shareholder of the Merlus. First mentioned by Féry last November, the sale of FC Lorient to the sole benefit of the Black Knight Football Club (BKFC) group was officially announced this Wednesday. The transaction, submitted to the DNCG (French football's financial watchdog), was formalized in January 2026 and aims to strengthen the long-term development of the Breton clu…
Announced in November by President Loïc Féry, the change was formalized this Wednesday by FC Lorient. The club's minority shareholder since the end of 2022, the group owned by Bill Foley has purchased the shares of the leader of Lorient.
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