Northampton Town have completed their takeover by Sports Alpha Capital, a consortium whose investors include former AC Milan, Chelsea and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato.
The deal gives Sports Alpha Capital a 70% stake in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that controls the majority of shares in the League Two club. Existing owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will collectively retain the remaining 30%.
The transaction had already received approval from both the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League earlier in September.
Northampton said the takeover will leave the club debt-free. The change in ownership follows the publication of accounts in April showing a pre-tax loss of just under £3 million for the 2025-26 financial period.
Thomas will step down as chairman after more than 10 years in the role, although he will remain involved as both a shareholder and director alongside Bower and Le Quesne.
Thomas played a central role in the 2015 takeover of Northampton at a time when the club was facing a winding-up petition and serious financial pressure.
Sports Alpha Capital executives Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain will take over as co-chairmen, while Pato will join the board as a director.
Chief executive James Whiting and supporters’ representative Tom Cliffe will remain board members. Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing will leave the main board but continue their association with the club as associate directors.
Xavier and Chamberlain said the new owners intend to pursue long-term growth while keeping financial sustainability and Northampton’s relationship with its supporters and local community at the centre of their plans. Further details about the consortium’s strategy are expected to be announced later.
Sports Alpha Capital lists Pato among its investors alongside London-based investment manager Gemcorp Capital. Pato and other members of the consortium attended Northampton’s 1-0 League Two victory over Newport County on 5 September.
The 37-year-old former forward retired from professional football in 2025. He is best known for his spell with AC Milan, where he scored 63 goals in 150 appearances and helped the club win the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season.
Sports Alpha Capital had previously held discussions over a possible takeover of Colchester United earlier in 2026 but withdrew after initial negotiations.
Northampton are rebuilding after relegation from League One last season, when they finished bottom of the table. Chris Hogg was appointed manager in May, and the club added 13 players during the summer transfer window, including striker Matty Warhurst from Manchester City.