FC Nantes: an agreement in principle has been signed, but the sale remains subject to approvals.
In Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, an agreement in principle was reached on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, for the sale of FC Nantes. The club, currently in Ligue 2, could leave the Kita family after 19 years, but the change of ownership is not yet finalized: several financial and social steps remain to be completed.
An agreement with a group of investors
The agreement was signed between Waldemar Kita, the club’s owner, and Paulo Tavares, a Franco-Portuguese intermediary representing French, Portuguese, and Luxembourgish investors. The information was reported on Wednesday, September 30th by ICI Loire Océan and confirmed by L’Équipe , which identifies the group as Phenix Sports Invest.
At this stage, it is an agreement in principle, not a finalized sale. The published information does not yet specify the identity of all investors or the complete terms of the transaction.
Approvals still pending
The file must be reviewed by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), the body that oversees the finances of French professional football. This review is presented as a necessary step before the transaction can be finalized. The date and outcome of this procedure are not yet known, based on the information currently available.
A meeting of the FC Nantes works council (CSE) is also expected to inform employees of the proposed sale. According to reports from ICI Loire Océan, this meeting was anticipated before the end of the week of September 28th.
No immediate changes for the club
For Nantes fans and residents, the announcement raises the prospect of a change in ownership, but it doesn’t fundamentally alter the club’s operations. Until all necessary approvals are obtained and the sale is finalized, Waldemar Kita remains the owner. No sporting, organizational, or staff-related changes have been announced in the available information.
FC Nantes has been owned by Waldemar Kita since 2007. What happens next will depend in particular on the review of the case by the DNCG (French football’s financial watchdog) and the finalization of the procedures related to the sale. The final amount, the timeline for the transfer of ownership, and the plans of the new owners are yet to be determined.
Source: franceinfo- Pays de la Loire
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