February 18 – City Football Group (CFG) have expanded their club portfolio yet again, announcing a “football collaboration agreement” with Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir.
Under the agreement, CFG, owner of Manchester City, will provide Basaksehir with guidance on transfers, academy development and data-driven insights. The group will also offer support with player screening and football strategy.
“Istanbul Basaksehir FK has achieved many firsts in Turkish football despite its young age and today, with this collaboration with the leading football group in the world, it marks another milestone for Istanbul Basaksehir and Turkish football,” said Goskel Gumusdag, majority owner and club president of Basaksehir.
“From the very beginning, we have reiterated at every opportunity that our vision and goals are different and today underlines this expression again. We are very happy, proud and excited. I would like to thank all the people in City Football Group for their approach and support in the process. I hope it will be beneficial for Basaksehir FK and Turkish football.”
CFG is the majority owner of Australian side Melbourne City, MLS’ New York City FC, India’s Mumbai City, Uruguay’s Montevideo City Torque, France’s Troyes, Belgium’s Lommel, Italy’s Palermo and Brazil’s Bahia. The group also has stakes in Spain’s Girona, China’s Shenzhen Peng City and Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.
“The agreement will see CFG will provide consultation across various footballing projects – including long-term football strategy, recruitment, scouting and coaching methodology – as IBFK (Basaksehir) aim to grow and strive for success,” read a CFG statement.
“In turn, the collaboration will help CFG grow knowledge and develop relationships in Turkey, an ambitious football nation and developer of talent. This will also provide CFG with an opportunity to collaborate across emerging football areas with a club that has a shared vision.”
Formed in 2014, Basaksehir have never been relegated from the top flight and currently sit in 9th in the Turkish league table.
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