Alexandre Pato consortium completes Northampton Town takeover
Sports Alpha Capital, a consortium featuring former Brazil striker Alexandre Pato, has completed its takeover of Northampton Town. The deal, approved by the EFL and the Independent Football Regulator, leaves the League Two club debt-free and puts Pato on the board. Kelvin Thomas steps down as chairman after more than a decade in the role.
ByNatilla5 min read
Northampton Town have entered a new era after Sports Alpha Capital (SAC), a consortium featuring former Brazil forward Alexandre Pato, completed its takeover of the League Two club. The group now controls 70% of Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that holds the majority of shares in the Cobblers.
- Sports Alpha Capital acquires a 70% stake in Northampton Town, with the previous owners keeping the remaining 30%.
- The deal leaves the club debt-free after a pre-tax loss of just under £3m was announced in April 2026.
- Alexandre Pato, formerly of AC Milan and Chelsea, joins the board as a director.
- Kelvin Thomas steps down as chairman after more than a decade but stays on as shareholder and director.
- SAC's Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain become co-chairmen.
How the Northampton Town ownership is now split
Sports Alpha Capital is now the majority shareholder in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that owns the bulk of shares in the fourth-tier club. Previous owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas collectively retain the remaining 30%.
The deal received approval earlier this month from the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League. The takeover comes after the club reported a pre-tax loss of just under £3m in April 2026, a financial burden that disappears with the arrival of the new investors.
Alexandre Pato takes a seat on the Northampton board
The former AC Milan and Chelsea striker joins the Northampton Town board as a director. Pato, 37, retired from playing last year and is best remembered for his five-and-a-half-year spell at AC Milan, where he scored 63 goals in 150 appearances and won the Serie A title in 2010-11.
Alongside Pato, Sports Alpha Capital counts London-based investment management firm Gemcorp Capital among its investors. The Brazilian and his fellow backers attended Northampton's 1-0 home win over Newport County on 5 September, a first direct taste of the matchday atmosphere at Sixfields.
Kelvin Thomas ends more than a decade as chairman
The takeover brings an end to Kelvin Thomas' spell as chairman, a position he had held since leading the club's purchase in 2015 when the Cobblers faced a winding-up petition. Thomas, who will remain a shareholder and director, said it had been "an enormous privilege" to lead the club.
SAC's Joao Xavier and Tim Chamberlain step in as co-chairmen, while chief executive officer James Whiting and supporters' representative Tom Cliffe stay on the board. Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing will leave the board and become associate directors.
What Sports Alpha Capital has planned for Northampton Town
In a joint statement, Xavier and Chamberlain said they were "extremely proud to become custodians of a club with such a rich history, passionate supporter base and important place within its community". The new co-chairmen made clear that sporting ambition must go hand in hand with financial sustainability.
We have ambitious plans for Northampton Town, but ambition must go hand in hand with sustainability and an understanding of what the club means to the people of Northampton and Northamptonshire.
The statement also outlined plans to work closely with the Community Trust, supporters, staff and local stakeholders to ensure the club remains a source of pride for the region. Xavier and Chamberlain added that further details of their vision for the club will be shared in due course.
Northampton's rebuild in League Two under new ownership
Northampton Town begin this new chapter in the fourth tier of English football after suffering relegation last season, finishing bottom of the League One table. In May, the club appointed Chris Hogg as manager to lead the recovery, and thirteen players were brought in during the summer transfer window.
Among the new arrivals is striker Matty Warhurst, signed from Manchester City. The new ownership hopes the financial stability secured by the takeover will help the team settle in League Two and build the foundation for sustained growth on and off the pitch.
Frequently asked questions about the Northampton Town takeover
Frequently asked questions
Who now owns Northampton Town?
Sports Alpha Capital has acquired a 70% stake in Northampton Town Ventures Limited, the company that owns the majority of shares in the club. Previous owners David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas retain the remaining 30%.
What role will Alexandre Pato have at Northampton Town?
The former AC Milan and Chelsea striker joins the club's board as a director. Pato is an investor in Sports Alpha Capital, along with London-based firm Gemcorp Capital, and attended the match against Newport County on 5 September.
Does the takeover clear Northampton Town's debt?
Yes. The club is left debt-free following the deal. Northampton had reported a pre-tax loss of just under £3m in April 2026, and that financial burden is removed with the arrival of the new ownership group.