Japanese company Yanmar has agreed a deal with Kroonenberg Group to acquire all the shares in Dutch Eerste Divisie football club Almere City FC and the club’s stadium.
Yanmar said the Japanese family-owned company has had a presence in Almere since 1989 and has been the stadium sponsor of the club for the past 10 years.
The proposed transaction is subject to approval by the licensing committee of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Almere City Football Club is a professional football club based in Almere, Netherlands. Founded in 2001, the club currently compete in the Eerste Divisie, following relegation from the Eredivisie in 2024–25. They play their home matches at the 4,501-capacity Yanmar Stadium.
Founded in 1912, Yanmar is a globally operating Japanese family-owned company that manufactures premium-quality diesel engines, agricultural equipment, off-road machinery, and energy and battery systems. Its EMEA base and manufacturing plant is in Almere.
John Bes, CEO of Almere City FC, said, “Yanmar has been the naming rights owner of our stadium since 2015 and is one of our most loyal and committed business partners. This feels like a natural next step in our collaboration.
“It underlines Yanmar’s confidence in the strategy and potential of Almere City. The combination of a strong local network and Yanmar’s international expertise will strengthen and likely accelerate the development of the club, especially with Kroonenberg Group remaining as main sponsor.”
In recent years, the club has focused on building a solid foundation with sustainable and controlled growth – a vision shared by Yanmar and Kroonenberg Group.
Yanmar said it aims to build on the existing organisation and is pleased to confirm that continuity is ensured with the current management and independent supervisory board members remaining in place. The intended acquisition will not have any impact on staff.
Samir Laoukili, CEO of Yanmar Europe B.V., Yanmar’s EMEA headquarters based in Almere, said, “Yanmar has been present in Almere since 1989 and has long been closely connected to the city, the region and its people.
“This step allows us to deepen that bond and to contribute to the club’s sustainable sporting and social development. Our decades of experience in football – Yanmar has owned a professional club in Japan since 1957 – and in global business will support this ambition.
“But above all, it is our passion for the game and the community of Almere and Flevoland that drives us. We are very enthusiastic about this intended acquisition – after all, our motto is: Football is our engine.”
Lesley Bamberger, CEO of Kroonenberg Group, said, “Under the stewardship of Kroonenberg Group, a strong foundation has been laid for Almere City, both in terms of sports and business.
“Yanmar is a respected Japanese family-owned company with proven football experience, having owned its own professional club in Japan for decades. We are confident that Yanmar, as the prospective new owner, can take Almere City further, both on and off the pitch.
“This acquisition is the result of a careful process and a shared vision with Yanmar for the future and continuity of the club. We are pleased with this step and believe the club is heading toward a strong future, one we are proud to continue being part of.”
Yanmar is internationally known for its strong involvement in sports, especially football. Since 1957, Yanmar has been the owner of Cerezo Osaka, one of Japan’s oldest professional football clubs.
Cerezo Osaka competes in the J1 League, Japan’s highest professional football league, and plays at the Yodoka Sakura Stadium in Osaka, which seats 25,000 spectators.
In addition, the club can use the adjacent Yanmar Stadium Nagai, which can accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators. Cerezo Osaka has produced legendary Japanese players such as Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United) and Takumi Minamino (Liverpool FC).
With the intended acquisition of Almere City FC, Yanmar would also become the owner of the youngest professional football club in the Netherlands.
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