The consortium led by Todd Boehly, President and CEO of Eldridge, and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, "Clearlake"), today announced the completion of the transfer of ownership of Chelsea Football Club ("Chelsea FC" or "the Club").

The consortium also includes Hansjörg Wyss, founder of the Wyss Foundation, and Mark Walter, co-founder and CEO of Guggenheim Capital. Walter and Boehly are owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Sparks. The transaction has received all necessary approvals from the UK government, the Premier League, and other authorities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boehly and Clearlake will share joint control and equitable governance of the Club. Boehly will assume the chairmanship of the holding company.

Boehly and Clearlake are committed to investing in core areas that will prolong and enhance Chelsea's competitiveness, including the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, further investment in the Academy, the Women's Team, and Kingsmeadow Stadium. The owners will also continue the important work of the Chelsea Foundation.

"We are honored to become the new custodians of Chelsea Football Club," Boehly said. "We are all involved - 100% - every minute of every game. Our vision as owners is clear: we want to make the fans proud. Along with our commitment to developing the youth team and acquiring the best talent, our plan of action is to invest in the Club for the long term and build on Chelsea's remarkable success story. I want to personally thank the British government ministers and officials, and the Premier League, for all their work to make this happen."

Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, Clearlake co-founders and managing partners, said, "We are excited to commit the resources to continue Chelsea's leading role in English and global soccer, and as an engine for developing soccer talent. We also want to thank the authorities for all their work throughout the process. As pioneers in sports and media investment, we are excited to partner with Todd and the rest of the consortium to significantly grow the Club as a global platform. Together, we will expand the Club's investment in infrastructure, technology and sports science to support Chelsea's incredible soccer and commercial teams - all with the goal of leveraging this growth to further fuel success on the pitch."

The new ownership group wishes to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Department, HM Treasury, and the Premier League in conducting their analysis of this historic and complex transaction.

Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Moelis & Company LLC, and Robey Warshaw LLP served as financial advisors to the new ownership group. Latham & Watkins LLP, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisors.

The Raine Group served as exclusive financial advisor to Fordstam Limited and Chelsea FC. Northridge Law LLP, Simmons & Simmons LP, and Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LP served as legal counsel. (chelseafc.com)