American businessman Kevin Nagle completes the acquisition of Huddersfield Town, making the Terriers the 26th club in English football with an investment in the United States
- Kevin Nagle has taken full control of Huddersfield Town, the club announced
- The Terriers are now the eighth Championship club with American backing
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Businessman Kevin M. Nagle has completed his takeover of Huddersfield, making the club the 26th in the English football pyramid with US investment.
The Terriers announced on Thursday evening that the agreed purchase of Nagle had been endorsed by the relevant authorities to give him 100 per cent ownership of the shares in the Championship club.
Nagle’s deal, through his company Town FC LLC, with former chairman Dean Hoyle received approval from the English Football League and the Financial Conduct Authority.
Huddersfield are now the eighth Championship club with American backing.
“I am extremely humbled and excited to be the new steward of Huddersfield Town,” said Nagle, the owner of California-based USL Championship Club Sacramento Republic FC.
Businessman Kevin Nagle has been announced as the new owner of Huddersfield Town
Former chairman Dean Hoyle stepped down last year to save the club from administration
“I would like to thank Dean Hoyle, Dave Baldwin, the EFL and FCA for all their help and attention to detail over the past few months.”
Nagle added on the Huddersfield website: ‘A special thanks to the wonderful Town supporters who have also been so supportive and patient.
“I know how much they care about this club and I don’t intend to let them down. Let’s get to work now.’
Nagle, 68, was born in Minnesota and was the co-founder and CEO of Envision Pharmaceuticals.
Huddersfield survived in the Championship under Neil Warnock at the end of last season to finish 18th, and the veteran manager recently agreed a one-year extension to stay on again for the new campaign.
The completion of the takeover ends Hoyle’s 14-year association with the West Yorkshire club.
Hoyle had stepped down as a short-term measure to save the club from administration after former owner Phil Hodgkinson ran into financial difficulties.
“It bodes well that Kevin was willing to take the reins regardless of division status, but to pass the baton as a Championship club gives the new regime a solid foundation to build on.” Hoyle said.
Neil Warnock kept the club afloat as the Terriers finished in 18th place with 53 points
“It has been a privilege to be your chairman. What a ride – from a mid-table League One team to reaching the Premier League, with plenty of highs and lows in between.
“A special mention and a big thank you to the many fans who have welcomed me and my family over the years and, more importantly, supported me through difficult times, not more than the last 18 months since I had to. step back in and offer serious financial support to the club.
“Now I’m sure as fans we can all look forward to an exciting period of progress on the pitch and, just as importantly, a continued period of financial stability off the pitch.”
Huddersfield will start his season away from home against Plymouth Argyle on August 5.