Relegated to Ligue 2 after a "catastrophic" season in Ligue 1, "Troyes is changing owners,” according to L’ÉQUIPE. Troyes majority shareholder and President Daniel Masoni announced on Monday that the club “will be bought by an American investor, Gary Allen.” Masoni said, “During several weeks, through Gary Allen’s intermediary, a project materialized for a transfer of 100% of the club. The purchase of all the shares is the sine qua non of the signed agreement, effective at the start of September. Gary Allen and his financial partners have agreed to purchase all of the shares of the club.” Masoni added, “We will be heard by the DNCG on Wednesday, Gary Allen will be present at our side.” Allen is the president of a “second division American club (Portland) and a large (2,000 strong) football academy.” Masoni, 85% owner of Troyes, will “leave the presidency in favor of Eric Descombes” (L’ÉQUIPE, 6/6). ECOFOOT’s Anthony Alyce reported at the moment, no price “has been revealed” by Masoni. The American investor’s group could reportedly “pay a sum around” €3M ($3.4M) to purchase 100% of the club’s shares. A sum which, if confirmed, “would be a good deal for the group” since the club generates a structural operational revenue amounting to €12M ($13.6M) in Ligue 2 and held €8M ($9M) worth of gross debt as of June ’15 (ECOFOOT, 6/7).
