Ex-Brazil striker Pato joins Northampton Town board after takeover

Ex-AC Milan and Chelsea forward Pato was capped 27 times by Brazil Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Former Brazil and AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato has joined the board of Northampton Town following the completion of the club’s takeover by Sports Alpha Capital (SAC).

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, SAC has acquired a 70% shareholding in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that owns the majority of shares in the League Two club. Existing owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will retain a combined 30% stake.

The takeover was approved by the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League earlier this month.

Northampton have confirmed that the deal leaves the club debt-free after they reported a pre-tax loss of just under £3 million in April.

Pato, 37, is one of SAC’s investors and will now serve as a director on the Northampton board.

He is best known for his five-and-a-half-year spell with AC Milan, where he scored 63 goals in 150 appearances and won the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season. He retired from professional football last year.

SAC investors, including Pato, attended Northampton’s 1-0 League Two victory over Newport County on 5 September.

The takeover also brings changes to the club’s leadership.

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Kelvin Thomas, who has served as chairman for more than a decade, is stepping down from the role but will remain a shareholder and director.

SAC’s Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain will become co-chairmen, while chief executive James Whiting and supporters’ representative Tom Cliffe will remain on the board.

Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing will leave their board positions and become associate directors.

In a joint statement, Xavier and Chamberlain said SAC had “ambitious plans” for Northampton but stressed that these would be matched with sustainability and an understanding of the club’s role in the local community.

The new owners said they would work with supporters, staff, partners, the Community Trust and other local stakeholders as they seek to develop the club on and off the pitch.

Northampton were relegated to League Two last season after finishing bottom of League One.

Chris Hogg was appointed manager in May, with the club bringing in 13 players during the summer transfer window, including striker Matty Warhurst from Manchester City.