Alexandre Pato Consortium Completes Northampton Town Takeover

Posted : 30 September 2026

The takeover of Northampton Town by Sports Alpha Capital (SAC), a consortium that includes former Brazil, AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato, has been completed. The deal was approved by the Independent Football Regulator and English Football League earlier this month.

SAC has acquired a 70% stake in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that owns the majority shareholding in the League Two club. Existing owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will retain a combined 30% interest.

Northampton said the investment will leave the club debt-free after it reported a pre-tax loss of just under £3 million in April 2026. The takeover also brings changes to the club's leadership structure, with Thomas stepping down as chairman after more than 10 years in the position.

Thomas will remain a shareholder and director alongside Bower and Le Quesne. He previously led the club's takeover when Northampton faced a winding-up petition in 2015 and described his time as chairman as an enormous privilege.

SAC founding partners Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain will become Northampton's co-chairmen, while Pato will take a place on the board as a director. Chief executive James Whiting and supporters' representative Tom Cliffe will also continue as directors.

Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing will leave their positions on the board but remain involved with the club as associate directors. The new ownership group said it has ambitious plans for Northampton but stressed that future development will be tied to financial sustainability and maintaining strong links with supporters and the local community.

Pato, 37, is one of SAC's investors alongside Gemcorp Capital. He retired from professional football last year after a career that included five and a half seasons at AC Milan, where he scored 63 goals in 150 appearances and won the 2010-11 Serie A title.

The former Brazil international also played for Chelsea, Villarreal and Corinthians during his career. He and other members of the investment group attended Northampton's 1-0 victory over Newport County on September 5.

The takeover comes after a difficult period for Northampton, who were relegated from League One last season after finishing bottom of the table. The club appointed Chris Hogg as manager in May and added 13 players during the summer transfer window.

SAC said further details about its plans for Northampton will be announced in due course as the new ownership begins its long-term involvement with the club.

Alexandre Pato Consortium Completes Northampton Town Takeover

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