Man City's parent company, City Football Group, made La Liga side Girona "the sixth club of its widening portfolio" after confirming a deal to purchase a "major stake" in the club, according to Jamie Jackson of the London GUARDIAN. The terms give CFG a 44.3% share and an "identical holding to Girona Football Group," the agency owned by Man City Manager Pep Guardiola's brother Pere. The remaining stake is owned by a Girona fans' association. Girona is playing in La Liga for the first time in its 87-year history after promotion last season. The clubs said that negotiations began last year and that Girona's "on- and off-field potential, together with a positive academy track record" played a "significant part in bringing the deal to fruition." Man City "already had close links with the Catalan team," having loaned them five players this summer: Pablo Maffeo, Aleix García, Douglas Luiz, Marlos Moreno and Larry Kayode. A statement announcing the agreement said that Girona would "benefit from City Football Group's extensive networks in infrastructure, coaching, recruitment, youth development and executive leadership in addition to its global media, marketing and commercial capabilities." CFG CEO Ferran Soriano added, "The opportunity to invest in the future of Girona was compelling. We will listen and learn, and do whatever is necessary to support the club and its fans in achieving the long-term sustainability they rightly desire" (GUARDIAN, 8/23).
