Meridia Private Equity has acquired a significant minority stake in Futbol Emotion, a Spanish multi-channel specialist retailer of football equipment.
Founded by the former professional goalkeeper Javier Sánchez Broto in 2001 and headquartered in Zaragoza (Spain), Futbol Emotion offers a comprehensive high-end specialised product portfolio of football equipment through its website (www.futbolemotion.com) and its network of 18 stores located throughout Spain.
Thanks to its outstanding reputation amongst customers and its content-led proposition, Futbol Emotion is the leading online retailer within its segment in Spain. Furthermore, the Company generates sales in over 50 countries around the world (Portugal, France, Italy, Mexico and USA mainly).
Alongside with Javier Sánchez Broto and the rest of Futbol Emotion’s management team, Meridia Private Equity envisages to support and accelerate the Company’s growth plans, both online and in terms of its store roll out programme.
Javier Sánchez Broto, Founder of Futbol Emotion, says: “We have worked hard in these past years to grow Futbol Emotion from a small specialised store in Zaragoza to a prominent player within its segment, both nationally and abroad. Going forward, we aim to continue exceeding our development targets by teaming up with Meridia Capital, an ideal partner which brings extensive experience in the retail sector and a strong focus on sustainable growth”
David Torralba, Partner Private Equity at Meridia Capital, says: “Futbol Emotion’s business model and impressive growth track record fit perfectly with Meridia Private Equity’s investment criteria. We believe that the Company’s hybrid model represents an edge from which to continue penetrating a very attractive and resilient niche market, both nationally and internationally. We look forward to playing an active role in this new stage in Futbol Emotion’s development by partnering up with Javier and his team”
Meridia Capital’s Founding Partner & CEO, Javier Faus, says: “Futbol Emotion, as Meridia Private Equity’s third transaction, consolidates our presence within the Spanish middle market Private Equity segment as an attractive alternative for entrepreneurs looking to partner up and materialize growth opportunities.”
