Danish Superliga club Randers taken over by Japanese investors

[p]The current majority shareholder, Randers FC Holding, is retaining the remaining 20 percent, ensuring local ownership remains part of the club.[/p][p][b]"We believe we have found the right partner in Suzuyo, and it has been very positive that, from the very beginning, Suzuyo has emphasized the importance of maintaining local ownership within Randers FC," [/b]says Svend Lynge Jorgensen, Chairman of the Board of Randers FC Holding.[/p][p]"Consequently, Randers FC Holding will continue as a 20 percent co-owner, and we look forward to continuing to actively contribute to the club's development," he explains.[/p][p]The press release regarding the deal describes Suzuyo as a family-owned group comprising around 140 companies and employing more than 13,000 people.[/p][p]The group is already involved in top-flight professional football through an investment in Shimizu S-Pulse, a club in Japan's top division.[/p][p][b]For years, Randers FC has been seeking new investors in its efforts to develop the club and maintain its position at the top of the Danish football pyramid.[/b][/p][p]Football Director Soren Pedersen views the Japanese entry as an "opportunity to build upon the foundation the club already has in place."[/p][p][b]"The new ownership structure gives us greater scope to take a long-term view and develop both the sporting and commercial aspects of the club."[/b][/p][p]"Throughout the process, Suzuyo has demonstrated a long-term perspective regarding their involvement, and they align with the direction and ideas we have been working on."[/p][p]"At the same time, they see great potential to elevate the entire club—sportingly, at our academy, regarding our facilities, and within the administration," says Soren Pedersen in the press release. By including Randers FC Holding in the ownership group, the new principal shareholders have ensured that local stakeholders remain among the investors.[/p][p][b]"We view our involvement with Randers FC as a long-term partnership, and the club’s strong identity and local roots have been important to us. That is why it has also been important for the local owners to remain part of the club,"[/b] says Kenichiro Suzuki, President & CEO of Suzuyo.[/p]