The American ownership group behind Burnley FC, Velocity Sports Partners, led by businessman Alan Pace, has completed a majority acquisition of Spanish club RCD Espanyol in a deal reportedly valued at up to €200 million ($232 million). The move officially ends the nine-year tenure of Chinese conglomerate Rastar Group, which had owned the Barcelona-based side since 2015.
A Transatlantic Expansion for Velocity Sports Partners
The acquisition marks another major step in the trend of multi-club ownership, linking English Premier League side Burnley with one of Spain’s most historic football institutions.
Under the agreement, Espanyol will maintain its existing leadership, identity, and operational independence, reflecting a stewardship model rather than a top-down ownership approach.
“Football has always belonged to its people,” said Alan Pace, Burnley chairman since 2020. “Our role is not to replace legacy, but to build upon it — with care, with clarity, and with purpose. This is not about ownership; it’s about stewardship.”
Pace stressed that both clubs would continue to operate autonomously:
“Burnley will remain Burnley. Espanyol will remain Espanyol.”
Espanyol’s Heritage Meets Burnley’s Modern Ambition
Founded in 1900, Espanyol is one of Spain’s oldest football institutions, boasting a rich heritage, loyal fanbase, and deep cultural ties to Barcelona. The club has spent the majority of its existence in La Liga, developing a strong reputation for its academy and competitive resilience.
For Velocity Sports Partners, the acquisition represents both a strategic and cultural investment — pairing Burnley’s data-driven, community-led football model with Espanyol’s historic Spanish roots and access to European talent pathways.
A Growing American Influence in European Football
This takeover continues the accelerating trend of US investors deepening their footprint across European football, following moves by firms and figures behind AC Milan, Marseille, and Toulouse, among others.
The transaction underscores a broader strategic evolution — where American-led ownership groups are no longer just acquiring clubs, but building multi-market football ecosystems designed to share insights, infrastructure, and commercial synergies across borders.
365247 Insight:
With the Espanyol deal, Alan Pace and Velocity Sports Partners are positioning themselves at the forefront of a new era of connected club ownership, where heritage institutions are modernised through shared knowledge and sustainable investment. The real story lies not in acquisition, but in alignment — balancing Burnley’s modern Premier League model with Espanyol’s deep-rooted Spanish tradition.
Don’t Just Watch Sport, Understand It. Join the 365247 Newsletter for daily insights
For brands, agencies and services
IMAGE: Mundo Deportivo
