Wednesday 22 July 2026 11:56 am | Updated: Wednesday 22 July 2026 5:03 pm Leeds United investor buys majority stake in Spanish football club By: Matt Hardy Deputy Sports Editor - City AM Share Facebook Share on Facebook X Share on Twitter LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn WhatsApp Share on WhatsApp Email Share on Email Add as a preferred source on Google The co-owners of Leeds United have purchased a Spanish football club The co-owners of Leeds United have purchased a Spanish football club as they expand their multi-club empire. A.Gain – formerly IDC Ventures – have added to their minority shareholding in the Elland Road Premier League team with a majority stake in third tier Spanish side Real Zaragoza, based in Aragon. Real Zaragoza will become – subject to regulatory approval – the second club owned by A.Gain after the group acquired a controlling stake in Colombian Categoria Primera A side Deportivo Cali. In addition to Cali and Leeds United, the group also holds a minority investment in Atletico Madrid, alongside Apollo Sports Capital and Ares Management . Former Manchester United football player Ander Herrera is a current stakeholder in Real Zaragoza as part of a 40 per cent minority holding alongside Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas. News Updates Stay ahead with our three daily briefings delivering all the key market moves, top business and political stories, and incisive analysis straight to your inbox. “We’re focused on clubs with strong foundations, loyal supporters, and meaningful long-term opportunities,” Bobby Aitkenhead, managing director and chief executive of A.Gain. “Our goal is to partner with organisations where disciplined execution and a long-term perspective can help create lasting value.” First Leeds United, then Spain LaLiga and LaLiga 2 clubs are being snapped up by a series of investors with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo taking a 25 per cent stake in UD Almeria, Gerard Pique holding shares in FC Andorra and Lionel Messi investing in CE Cornella. Real Zaragoza were relegated to the third division of Spanish football for the first time since 1949 last season, having won the Copa del Rey as recently as 2004. “Real Zaragoza has all the characteristics we look for,” Aitkenhead – who founded BlueKite before its eventual incorporation into PayPal – added. “It has a remarkable history, a deeply committed fan base, and the potential to build something sustainable over the long term. That’s the kind of opportunity that fits our investment philosophy.” A statement read: “While the club has faced challenges in recent years, A.gain believes its history, supporter base, regional identity, and infrastructure provide a strong platform for long-term growth.” Read more Premier League: US owners dominate over half of 20 clubs Share this article Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Similarly tagged content: Sections Sport News Categories Sport Business Business Football Sport People & Organisations A.Gain Atletico Madrid Deportivo Cali football IDC Sports and Entertainment Leeds United Premier League Real Zaragoza Related Topics Football Football finance Premier League football Trending Articles Pensioners to hand over bank statements in government benefits crackdown Jaguar reveals the Type 01’s screen-free interior Jamie Carragher: HMRC petitions for Sky Sports star to be declared bankrupt City firms mandate phone and face-to-face comms bootcamps for Gen Z lawyers Jamie Vardy bags Bundesliga rights as he steps up streaming war with Neville and Lineker More from City AM Premier League: US owners dominate over half of 20 clubs Sport Business QPR owner Bhatia Liverpool investment could value club at $6bn Sport Business Jeff Bezos closes in on Liverpool FC stake as FSG sale deal nears Sport Business Mbappe-backed brand set for London store in Harrods Sport Business Bayern Munich old boys in takeover of Portuguese top-flight club Sport Business Exclusive: Arsenal target Vinicius Jr future at Real Madrid to be decided this week Sport Business Manchester United agree £20m a year deal with betting giant Sport Business Is £5bn now the entry ticket into Premier League football? Sport Business Subscribe Subscribe to the City AM newsletter to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe By signing up to our newsletters you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .
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