Bordeaux sold for symbolic one euro to American firm Park Bench

FC Girondins de Bordeaux will change hands for one symbolic euro. The Aquitaine club announced Wednesday the signing of a transfer agreement between Gérard Lopez’s company, the current owner, and American investment firm Park Bench, which is also taking on the club’s debts.

« FC Girondins de Bordeaux announces the signing of a transfer agreement between Gérard Lopez’s company, current owner of the club, and Park Bench », states the official statement. « This transaction is concluded for one symbolic euro with assumption of debts. »

While the stated price reflects the club’s precarious financial situation, on the brink of judicial liquidation, the real cost for the buyer will be far heavier. According to L’Équipe, the debts to absorb are valued at approximately 13 million euros.

The transaction is not yet definitively finalized. As part of the legal takeover procedure, Park Bench will be heard in the coming days by the Regional Management Control Commission of the Ligue de Football Nouvelle-Aquitaine (LFNA). The club, which currently competes at the sixth tier of French football, could be integrated into a Régional 1 group if the takeover project is validated.

This sale marks the end of a difficult era for one of France’s most decorated clubs, six-time Ligue 1 champion and winner of the UEFA Cup in 1996. Bordeaux was relegated to Ligue 2 in 2022 before falling further following its serious financial difficulties under Gérard Lopez’s presidency. The situation of the Girondins is not isolated: FC Nantes is also going through a period of uncertainty surrounding a potential departure of Waldemar Kita.