Capzanine takes majority stake in Soccer Park and Le Five

Alice Tchernookova
05 May 2016

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Capzanine has invested in French football pitch operator Soccer Park to support its merger with Le Five FC, becoming the majority shareholder in the newly formed group.

Capzanine provided equity funding and mezzanine financing as part of the transaction, with the debt representing less than 20% of the total investment.

With this transaction, Capzanine will acquire more than 50% of the group's share capital, becoming the majority shareholder alongside the founders of both companies, and alongside M Capital Partners – previously known as Midi Capital – which backed Soccer Park in 2013, investing an overall €2.7m in three tranches.

The buyout also marks the exit of Lov Group from Soccer Park. Lov Group had been the majority shareholder in the group since 2010.

While Soccer Park and Le Five FC will operate seperately, the newly formed business will consolidate the advantages brought by the two networks and develop a growth plan for the coming years.

Plans include the opening of new centres and the acquisition of independent operators in the field. The new owners and management have also set an objective to become a major competitor of sector leader Urban Football.

The new entity will comprise 42 complexes – to which it aims to add another six – with an estimated €12m turnover.

Company
Soccer Park was founded in 2010 in Cannes by Guillaume Debelmas and Tony Jalinier and has seen significiant growth in provincial France since. The company, which by the end of the year will be operating 16 centres, recently diversified into paddle tennis.

Le Five FC was founded in 2008 by Joseph Vieville. It has developed its network via a historical presence in the Île-de-France region and has expanded across provincial France. It recently expanded into the Spanish market and operates a total of 26 complexes. Le Five operates the only five-a-side football centre in central Paris, at Porte de la Chapelle, and is headquartered in Aubervilliers.

People
Capzanine – Benoît Choppin (associate director); Clement Colin (associate)

Adviser
Equity – Advance Capital (financial due diligence); Aquila Avocats (tax); Piotraut Giné Avocats (legal).
Vendor – VGC Associes (legal); LL Berg (legal).