City Football Group (CFG) has announced a “football collaboration agreement” with Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir.
CFG is the ultimate owner of Premier League champions Manchester City. It is also the majority shareholder in a further seven clubs around the world, with minority stakes in a further three.
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Basaksehir was founded in 2014 and is majority owned by Goksel Gumusdag, who is also the club president.
“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,” Gumusdag said.
“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, Beligum’s Lommel, Italy’s Palermo and Brazil’s Bahia. It also has a 47 per cent stake in La Liga side Girona, as well as shares in 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,” a CFG statement read.
“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.”
Basaksehir are ninth in the Turkish Super Lig and have not been relegated from the top flight since their formation in 2014. Previously, the club was founded as Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor in 1990.
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(Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)