A US private equity firm has invested £105 million into Ipswich Town securing a major stake in the Sky Bet Championship club.
Bright Path Sports Partners has bought a 40 per cent stake in the club to help financially support the team and management.
This has reduced majority shareholder ORG’s stake from 90 per cent to 50 per cent with the remaining 10 per cent made up of smaller investors including the Three Lions.
CEO Mark Ashton said: “We are excited to welcome Bright Path Sports on what is another landmark day in the club’s history.
“This is a day that further secures the long-term future of the football club and gives us the means to move the club forward as we benefit from the wide range of skills and experiences Bright Path’s investors will bring.
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“The investment will continue to support the club in both the medium and long term, with the biggest immediate use being to support a number of key infrastructure projects, including the significant redevelopment of the training ground at Playford Road.”
In a club statement, it was confirmed that Ashton will continue to manage the day-to-day running of the club while Bright Path Sports will provide capital and strategic thinking to benefit Ipswich.
The Blues could be returning to the Premier League for the first time since in 22 years as the club sits at third in the table.
Ed Schwartz, co-founder and Principal of ORG, said: “When we purchased Ipswich Town in 2021, we did so with the initial aim of restoring the club to the Championship and becoming competitive at this level, with the plan always including bringing a partner on board when the time was right.
“The club’s progress means we feel that time is now and we are excited to welcome Bright Path Sports.
“Alongside the continued day-to-day leadership of Mark Ashton, who we are delighted has further committed his future to the club, we look forward to Bright Path bringing significant value to Ipswich Town in the coming years.”