Pato-led consortium completes Northampton Town takeover
Sports Alpha Capital, backed by former Brazil forward Alexandre Pato, has taken 70% ownership of Northampton Town, leaving the League Two club debt-free.
Northampton Town have new owners. A consortium including former AC Milan, Chelsea and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato has completed its takeover of the League Two club.
Sports Alpha Capital (SAC) had the deal cleared by the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League earlier this month. SAC takes a 70% shareholding in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company holding the majority of shares in the club. David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas, the existing owners, keep the remaining 30% between them.
Northampton say the deal leaves the club debt-free. That comes four months after a pre-tax loss of just under £3m was announced, in April 2026.
SAC's founding partners, Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain, set out their approach in a joint statement, saying they were "extremely proud to become custodians of a club with such a rich history, passionate supporter base and important place within its community".
"We have ambitious plans for Northampton Town, but ambition must go hand in hand with sustainability and an understanding of what the club means to the people of Northampton and Northamptonshire," the statement added. "We want the club to continue to be a source of pride within its community and will work closely with the Community Trust, supporters, staff, partners and local stakeholders to ensure that relationship continues to grow. We are looking forward to spending much more time in Northampton, listening to supporters and working together to help the club realise its potential both on and off the pitch. This is the beginning of a long-term commitment from Sports Alpha Capital to Northampton Town Football Club, and we are incredibly excited about the journey ahead."
Xavier and Chamberlain said further details of their vision for the club would follow.
Among those already at the club is Mattie Warhurst, a 20-year-old forward who joined in July 2026 and has scored twice this season. Northampton's new board inherits a League Two campaign still finding its shape; how quickly SAC's plans reach the pitch may depend on that group's early form.
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