Manchester City’s owner City Football Group has announced a “football collaboration” deal with Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir.
City Football Group, a holding company founded in 2013, is the majority owner or co-owner of several clubs across the world, including Spanish title contenders Girona, Troyes, New York City and Palermo.
Multi-club ownership models have attracted renewed criticism in recent weeks after City struck a deal to sign Brazilian winger Savio – who has impressed on loan at Girona this season – from Troyes.
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However, Basaksehir will now become the latest club to work with the City Football Group, benefitting from collaboration on long-term football strategy, recruitment, scouting and coaching methodology among other issues.
A statement from Basaksehir, who won their first Turkish top-flight title in 2019-20, said: “Istanbul Basaksehir FK has achieved many firsts in Turkish football despite its young age.
“Today, with this collaboration with the leading football group in the world, it marks another milestone for Istanbul Basaksehir and Turkish football.
“From the very beginning, we have reiterated at every opportunity that our vision and goals are different and today underlines this expression again. We are very happy, proud and excited.”
🫱🏻🫲🏼 İstanbul Başakşehir, City Football Group ile futbol odaklı iş birliği anlaşması imzaladı.
➡️ https://t.co/OSAzCTikdt pic.twitter.com/RvKhV4p7bR
— RAMS Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) February 18, 2024
Basaksehir, who were only founded in 2014, managed a memorable 2-1 win over Manchester United during their maiden Champions League group-stage campaign in 2020-21, a result which contributed to a humiliating early exit for the Red Devils.
They currently sit ninth in the Turkish Super Lig, seven points adrift of the European places, after finishing fifth last campaign.
