Atletico Madrid has officially welcomed Apollo Sports Capital (ASC) as its new majority shareholder, marking the beginning of a new era for the club. The agreement, initially announced in November, received final ratification during an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on Thursday.
The takeover brings several changes to Atletico’s boardroom, though Miguel Angel Gil Marin retains his position as CEO and Enrique Cerezo continues as club president. Notably, former player David Villa has been appointed to the Board of Directors, joining Antoine Bonnier, Robert Givone, Tristram Leach, Jim Miller, Sam Porter, Amit Singh, Javier Valle, and Antonio Vázquez-Guillén.
Villa, a key member of Atletico’s 2013-14 La Liga-winning squad, will now collaborate with Cerezo and the board to propel Los Colchoneros forward, aiming to intensify competition with top rivals like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Villa Expresses Delight at Return to Atleti
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Villa conveyed his delight at returning to a club that holds many fond memories for him, despite his relatively brief playing tenure.
“I am very happy to return to the club with new responsibilities, yet with the same desire to help Atlético de Madrid grow season after season,” Villa stated. “The club has been progressing for several years, and I hope to contribute to our continued success. I am very grateful to have been considered for this position.”
Concurrently with Apollo Sports Capital’s investment, Atletico Madrid has received a substantial €100 million cash injection into its capital, as reported by Diario AS. This significant financial boost is expected to alleviate past financial concerns, enabling the club to intensify its efforts to compete with and surpass rivals like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
