By David Owen
June 20 – The majority owner of CFR Cluj-Napoca, the Romanian champions, is looking for a financial partner to help consolidate the club’s place among the European elite.
Árpád Pászkány is understood to be prepared to sell part or all of his stake in the club he rescued from bankruptcy when languishing 12 years ago in Romania’s third division, or even to negotiate a complete sale.
“I spent over a decade focusing on elevating the team by spending a lot of energy, time and money to fulfil my dream,” Pászkány, who has invested more than €100 million in the club he has supported since childhood, said.
“Now I have to be realistic – I know that I cannot move forward alone.”
KPMG Sports Advisory is managing the search process.
It is understood that interest has been shown by entities in China and the Middle East.
Cluj is now firmly established as one of the best football clubs in Eastern Europe, qualifying three times for the UEFA Champions League.
In December, it enjoyed the finest result in its history, beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in a Champions League group match.
“Thanks to the participation in European-level competitions and earnings achieved on player development and transfers, we run a profitable business,” Pászkány said.
“We got close to the European elite, and now we want to take a stable place amongst them.
“For that step, however, we need one more push.”
Pászkány’s media interests hold rights to broadcast Cluj matches, games in the Romanian first division and Romanian national team matches, though not Champions League fixtures.
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