Soccer club Toulouse in takeover talks with US firm

TOULOUSE, FRANCE » The owner of struggling French soccer club Toulouse is in negotiations to sell an 85-percent stake to American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners.

Toulouse was relegated after finishing last in the first division this season. The league was ended early with 10 rounds remaining because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am convinced RedBird Capital Partners has the competence and resources needed to allow Toulouse to return among the elite of French soccer,” Toulouse owner Olivier Sadran said in a club statement on Thursday.

Sadran has been club president since 2001 and will retain a 15% stake in his hometown club.

“I feel responsible for Toulouse,” he said. “They can always count on my passion and my support.”

RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale confirmed the takeover bid.