As reported by GFFN, John Textor has become majority shareholder at French giants Lyon. Despite seven delays overall since exclusive, negotiations began four months ago, with Textor’s Eagle Football now acquiring a stake of 77,49% in the seven-time Ligue 1 champions.
Textor already owns shares in Crystal Palace and Botafogo, while also being the majority shareholder in Belgian second division side RWD Molenbeek. RWDM narrowly missed out on promotion to the first division last season after a defeat in the play-offs against Seraing. The side are currently sitting in third place, just a point behind leaders Beerschot who have played a game less.
Foreign ownership and links to other clubs is nothing new in Belgium. Lommel, who sit just below RWDM, are currently part of the City Group, while in the Pro League Cercle Brugge are owned by Monaco. In the past, sides such as Seraing benefited from a link with FC Metz, while the now defunct Mouscron were partners with Lille.
Thanks to Textor, RWDM have been able to attract players to drop down a division, such as Kylian Hazard, Youssef Challouk, Mickael Biron and Alexis De Sart, all of whom were at Pro League sides to start the season.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
