Football superstar Lionel Messi has reached an agreement to buy Spanish second-division club CD Eldense. The Inter Miami player, who recently retired from international football, will acquire 100 per cent of the shares currently held by Colombian investment firm TH Soluciones Group SAS.
This move marks Messi's second foray into Spanish club ownership, following his buyout of UE Cornella in the Spanish fifth tier in April. He is also reportedly set to receive a stake in his current club, Inter Miami, once his playing contract expires.
Reports from Spain on Tuesday indicated that the deal for Eldense is expected to be finalised in the coming days. However, Eldense stated that the operation is "pending completion of the final legal and contractual procedures, including the corresponding due diligence process, as well as the mandatory authorisation from the High Council for Sports (CSD)." The club was unable to provide a fixed date for the deal's completion.
Eldense, currently 20th in the Segunda standings, were taken over by TH Soluciones Group last October. The club, based in Elde near Alicante in south-east Spain, has climbed to the second tier of Spanish football after years spent in regional divisions.