Former AC Milan and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato has completed his takeover of League Two club Northampton Town, with the deal now formally approved after clearing checks from both the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League.
Pato, 37, is part of the Sports Alpha Capital consortium that has agreed to buy the club from current owner Kelvin Thomas. The group's involvement in English football wasn't its first attempt in the lower leagues; Sports Alpha Capital had previously come close to acquiring a stake in fellow League Two side Colchester United earlier in the year before ultimately walking away from that deal.
Confirming the approval, Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas described the process as detailed and rigorous, involving significant scrutiny of the proposed investment, ownership structure, financial sustainability, and the suitability of those involved. He thanked both the IFR and EFL for their professionalism and thoroughness throughout, adding that clearance from both bodies marks an important milestone for the club and should give supporters and stakeholders further confidence in the project's foundations. Thomas also noted that several members of the investment group have already visited Northampton and attended matches, pointing to what he described as a genuine passion for football within the consortium.
While Pato is officially listed among the investors behind Sports Alpha Capital, alongside London-based investment manager Gemcorp Capital, he is not understood to be leading the group. Details of the exact ownership structure and the size of the stake changing hands have not yet been made public, with Northampton saying that information will be confirmed once the deal is fully finalised.
The takeover arrives at a difficult moment on the pitch for the Cobblers, who were relegated to League Two last season after finishing bottom of League One, having earlier posted a pre-tax loss of close to £3 million. Thomas has previously said the incoming investment would leave the club debt-free. Northampton appointed Chris Hogg as manager in May and have already brought in several new signings this summer, including striker Matty Warhurst from Manchester City and midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans from MK Dons, as the club looks to rebuild under its new ownership.
Pato himself is best remembered for a five-and-a-half-year spell at AC Milan, where he scored 57 goals in 125 appearances and won the Serie A title in 2010-11, along with a brief loan stint at Chelsea during the 2015-16 season. He retired from playing last year.
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