Kroonenberg Groep sells Almere City FC to manufacturer Yanmar

Almere City FC is entering Japanese hands. Kroonenberg Groep, owner of professional football Club Almere City FC since 2010, is selling both the football club and the stadium to Japanese family company Yanmar, which has been closely involved with the football club as stadium sponsor since 2015.

Yanmar, founded in Osaka in 1912, operates worldwide as a manufacturer of diesel engines, heavy machinery and agricultural machinery and has a strong position in Japanese football since 1957 as owner and shirt sponsor of Cerezo Osaka.

The acquisition needs to be approved by the licensing committee of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). Kroonenberg Groep will remain the main sponsor of Almere City FC.

Houthoff advises Kroonenberg Groep on all aspects of the transaction, including the mandatory notification to the licensing committee in the KNVB. The Houthoff team involved in this transaction is led by Bram Caudri and further consists of Ivar Brouwer, Sam Vermeeren, Lars Verploegen, Dolf de Jong, Wischa Visser, Jeroen van Mourik, and Diede van der Voort.