An Israeli multinational has purchased a stake in the Spanish football club Atlético Madrid in a £44.6 million deal.
Quantum Pacific Group bought a 15 per cent stake in the club.
The firm is headed by London-based billionaire Idan Ofer, 62, who is estimated to be worth about £2 billion.
Mr Ofer primarily amassed his fortune through shipping, drilling and mining concerns. He is the founder of Tanker Pacific and the majority shareholder of Pacific Drilling.
In 2013 he donated £25 million to his alma mater, the London Business School, thought to be the largest-ever donation to a UK business school. His wife, Batia, has also made financial contributions to London’s Jewish Museum.
Israeli stock trading platform Plus 500 has been the primary shirt sponsor of Atlético since 2015, paying almost £40 million over four years, according to Israeli media.
Atlético Madrid is the third most successful club in Spanish football, having won the country’s first division and the Copa del Rey 10 times each.
In the 2013/14 season, Atlético broke Real Madrid and Barcelona’s nine-year run of league titles, racking up 90 points over the season, and reached the Champions league final in 2014 and 2016.
The club’s chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, will remain the majority shareholder, controlling just over 50 per cent of shares.
Club president Enrique Cerezo confirmed Quantum Pacific Group’s investment on the Onda Cero radio station this morning.
He said: “We’ve spent almost a year speaking to investors who want to buy shares, and this morning the board approved the incorporation of 15 per cent of an important company.
“Quantum Pacific Group has significant interests in various industries globally, including shipping, energy, natural resources, medical technology and automotive.”
