Pato Joins Northampton Board After Takeover

Former Brazil international Alexandre Pato has taken a seat on the Northampton Town board after Sports Alpha Capital completed its majority takeover of the League Two club.

The British-Brazilian investment group acquired a 70 per cent stake in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that holds the majority shareholding in the Cobblers. Existing owners Kelvin Thomas, David Bower and Nigel Le Quesne retain a combined 30 per cent interest. The deal, approved earlier this month by the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League, leaves the club debt-free.

Pato, 37, is one of SAC’s investors and becomes a director. João Xavier and Tim Chamberlain have been appointed co-chairmen. Thomas steps down as chairman after nearly 11 years but remains a shareholder and director. CEO James Whiting and supporters’ representative Tom Cliffe stay on the board, while Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing become associate directors.

Pato enjoyed his most successful years at AC Milan, scoring 63 goals in 150 appearances and winning the Serie A title in 2010-11. He also had a brief loan spell at Chelsea in 2015-16, scoring on his Premier League debut, and won 27 caps for Brazil. He retired from professional football last year.

SAC, founded by Brazilian lawyer João Xavier, economist Pedro Piquet and British businessman Tim Chamberlain, previously explored a takeover of Colchester United before turning its attention to Northampton. Investors including Pato attended the club’s 1-0 win over Newport County earlier this month.

Thomas described the day as “important and exciting” and the start of a new chapter. He said the outgoing owners were proud to hand over a debt-free club with the East Stand completed, and expressed confidence in SAC’s passion, experience and desire to maintain Northampton’s community role. Xavier and Chamberlain said they were proud to become custodians of a club with a rich history and strong local ties, pledging to protect existing foundations while adding investment, expertise and ambition.

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The takeover ends a process that began in the spring and positions the Cobblers for a new era under mixed British-Brazilian ownership.