Latest news with #RoyaleUnionSaintGilloise
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Hoffenheim signs Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise
SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) — German team Hoffenheim has signed Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgian champion Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The 27-year-old Machida, who has played 17 games for Japan, signed a 'long-term contract' at Hoffenheim, the Bundesliga club said on Friday without elaborating. Kicker magazine reported Hoffenheim agreed to pay around 4.5 million euros ($5.3 million) for the player, possibly rising to over 5 million ($5.9 million) with bonuses. 'In Koki Machida we've found a central defender who brings exactly the qualities we were looking for in this position,' Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker said. 'He has international experience as a Japanese national team player and was an absolute key part of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's championship-winning last season. Koki is an uncompromising defender who never shies away from a challenge.' Machida initially joined the Belgian team on loan from Kashima Antlers in 2022, earning a permanent switch the following year. Altogether he played 114 games for Union. 'For me the step to Hoffenheim and in the Bundesliga is the next in my career,' Machida said in a Hoffenheim statement. Hoffenheim finished just above the Bundesliga relegation zone last season. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hoffenheim signs Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise
Japan's Koki Machida, left, gets past Australia's Martin Boyle during their World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match in Perth, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens) SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) — German team Hoffenheim has signed Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgian champion Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The 27-year-old Machida, who has played 17 games for Japan, signed a 'long-term contract' at Hoffenheim, the Bundesliga club said on Friday without elaborating. Advertisement Kicker magazine reported Hoffenheim agreed to pay around 4.5 million euros ($5.3 million) for the player, possibly rising to over 5 million ($5.9 million) with bonuses. 'In Koki Machida we've found a central defender who brings exactly the qualities we were looking for in this position,' Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker said. 'He has international experience as a Japanese national team player and was an absolute key part of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's championship-winning last season. Koki is an uncompromising defender who never shies away from a challenge.' Machida initially joined the Belgian team on loan from Kashima Antlers in 2022, earning a permanent switch the following year. Altogether he played 114 games for Union. 'For me the step to Hoffenheim and in the Bundesliga is the next in my career,' Machida said in a Hoffenheim statement. Hoffenheim finished just above the Bundesliga relegation zone last season. ___ AP soccer:
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Brighton owner Bloom acquires stake in Scottish club Hearts
Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has invested 9.86 million pounds ($13.41 million) to acquire a 29 per cent stake in Heart of Midlothian, the Scottish Premiership club said on Wednesday. Bloom's stake will be in non-voting shares and he has nominated James Franks, a long-time business consultant with experience of football governance, to join the club's board as a non-executive director. "I firmly believe in the club's ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football which has been in place for far too long," Bloom said in a statement. "The appointment of James as my representative on the board underlines the importance I attach to my investment in the club. "James has been a trusted associate of mine for many years and I believe that his wealth of experience in the football industry and strong business acumen will be a tremendous asset to the board and to the club." Hearts finished seventh in the Premiership last season, reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals and played in the league phase of the Conference League. Bloom is also an investor in Belgian Pro League team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who ended their 90-year wait for the league title in the 2024-25 season. In March, he also reached an agreement to acquire an initial 19.1 per cent stake in Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. ($1 = 0.7351 pounds)
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Brighton owner Bloom acquires stake in Scottish club Hearts
June 25 (Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has invested 9.86 million pounds ($13.41 million) to acquire a 29% stake in Heart of Midlothian, the Scottish Premiership club said on Wednesday. Bloom's stake will be in non-voting shares and he has nominated James Franks, a long-time business consultant with experience of football governance, to join the club's board as a non-executive director. "I firmly believe in the club's ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football which has been in place for far too long," Bloom said in a statement. "The appointment of James as my representative on the board underlines the importance I attach to my investment in the club. "James has been a trusted associate of mine for many years and I believe that his wealth of experience in the football industry and strong business acumen will be a tremendous asset to the board and to the club." Hearts finished seventh in the Premiership last season, reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals and played in the league phase of the Conference League. Bloom is also an investor in Belgian Pro League team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who ended their 90-year wait for the league title in the 2024-25 season. In March, he also reached an agreement to acquire an initial 19.1% stake in Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. ($1 = 0.7351 pounds)
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bloom completes £10m purchase of 29% Hearts stake
Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has completed the £9.86m purchase of a 29% stake in Scottish Premiership club's majority shareholder group had last month voted in favour of Bloom's James Franks, who has worked as part of the businessman's other football ventures at Belgium's Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Australia's Melbourne Victory, will represent Bloom on Hearts' board as a non-executive executive Andrew McKinlay says news of Bloom's investment has "captured the imaginations of our supporters"."I am absolutely thrilled to be investing in Hearts," said Bloom. "I firmly believe in the club's ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football, which has been in place for far too long."This great club has a bright future and I look forward to seeing that unfold in the months and years ahead."The appointment of James as my representative on the board underlines the importance I attach to my investment in the club."James has been a trusted associate of mine for many years and I believe that his wealth of experience in the football industry and strong business acumen will be a tremendous asset to the board and to the club." "Tony Bloom's decision to invest in Hearts was very much founded on the many benefits he saw at Tynecastle through the club being in fan ownership, not least its financial security through the level of our pledging."Bloom will be purchasing non-voting rights shares, which would not impact the 75.1% voting rights held by the Foundation of Hearts but he will be entitled to one place on the board and is expected to appoint a representative rather than take up the position had said Bloom believes Hearts can "disrupt Scottish football" and that he wants to be a part of a "glorious chapter" in the Edinburgh club's finished season 2024-25 seventh in the Scottish Premiership and have appointed Derek McInnes as their new club has a formal relationship with Bloom's company Jamestown Analytics for recruitment.
