Bridge Football Group buys Grasshopper Zurich stake

Bridge Football Group is taking a controlling position in Grasshopper Club Zurich, securing a stake of more than 96% from Los Angeles Football Club, according to a statement released Monday.

Financial terms were not provided. The transaction positions Bridge as the dominant owner of one of Switzerland’s best-known football institutions.

Majority sale follows competitive investor process

The sale was run by Markham Capital and Sports Advisory, which said the process drew interest from more than a dozen investors and prospective ownership groups.

Bridge was chosen for what the advisers described as a long-term plan for the club and an approach that aims to respect Grasshopper’s heritage while directing capital toward future development.

Grasshopper Club Zurich, commonly known as Grasshoppers, is among Switzerland’s most storied teams, making control of the club a notable asset for an expanding sports ownership platform.

Bridge adds Switzerland to an expanding multi-club portfolio

The acquisition expands Bridge Football Group’s international holdings. The group already has ownership interests in FC Den Bosch in the Netherlands, Shaanxi Union FC in China, and Pro Vercelli in Italy.

Adding a Swiss club broadens Bridge’s footprint across multiple European leagues while also maintaining a presence in Asia. Multi-club ownership has become a common strategy for investors seeking shared recruitment networks, coordinated coaching philosophies, and operational efficiencies across teams.

While the statement did not outline specific operational changes for Grasshopper Club Zurich, a controlling stake typically gives an owner the ability to set governance priorities, appoint leadership, and direct longer-term investment decisions.

Leadership background includes FIFA legal experience

Bridge’s chief executive is Ludovic Delechat, who is based in Switzerland. Delechat is a lawyer and previously held a senior legal executive role at FIFA, the sport’s global governing body.

That legal and regulatory background can be relevant for cross-border football operations, where club ownership, player registrations, transfer rules, and governance requirements differ by country and competition organizer.

The seller, Los Angeles Football Club, is exiting a large majority position through this deal. The statement did not specify whether LAFC will retain any minority interest after the transaction, beyond noting Bridge’s stake will exceed 96%.

Next steps for the parties are expected to center on closing mechanics and any required approvals tied to Swiss football governance and league participation rules. Attention will also focus on how Bridge integrates Grasshopper Club Zurich into its existing network and whether additional investment plans are announced following completion.