June 26 – The US owners of Serie A’s Roma, The Freidkin Group (TFG), have bought AS Cannes in the French fourth tier.
Cannes’ glory years were in the late 1980s and early 1990s, finishing fourth in Ligue 1 in 1991. The club has always been the poor relation of near neighbours AS Monaco and OGC Nice however it can claim to have given professional debuts toGael Clichy, Johan Micoud, Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane and a number of other French players.
“David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, announces that AS Cannes Football will now be part of the Friedkin group. With the entry of its first men’s and women’s teams into the 2nd and 3rd national divisions, AS Cannes is opening a new page in its history with the Friedkin family,” said a club press release.
No value was disclosed for the deal or the investment that TFG will make in the club. Ryan Freidkin will become club president.
Cannes were relegated from Ligue 1 in 1998. In 2014 they were dropped from the professional pyramid over financial issues and had to restart in the amateur regional leagues. Since then they have been building their way back.
TFG bought Roma in 2020 and under their ownership and Jose Mourinho’s management won the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022 and made it to the final of the Europa League in 2023. The women’s team has won all three Italian trophies and reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.
The deal with Cannes will open up player opportunities for the management of both clubs and a player pipeline for Cannes’ continued progress.
TFG is a privately-held consortium of sports, entertainment, hospitality, and automotive companies, that through its entertainment businesses has a strong link with Cannes.
“Cannes and this part of France has always held a special place in our hearts, and I’d like to thank Mayor Lisnard and Ms. Courtade for giving my family the opportunity to carry on the legacy of Les Dragons. We look forward to doing everything we can to ensure the Club competes for promotions and is one the fans and this city can be proud of,” said Ryan Freidkin.
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