July 22 – Paul Gheysens has relinquished ownership control of Belgian club Antwerp with a consortium spearheaded by Wouter Vandenhaute and Toby Alderweireld stepping in.
The club was under mounting financial pressure as majority shareholder Gheysens, a local real estate behemoth, built up debt as his other businesses came under pressure. The consortium taking over is led by entrepreneur Vandenhaute, former Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO Jacques Vandermeiren, and former Belgium international Alderweireld. It is supported by dozens of local investors and credit backing from Belgian bank KBC.
Gheysens faced a tight deadline to repay an estimated €7.5 -10 million loan to hedge fund Fasanara, which was on the verge of taking partial control of Belgium’s oldest football club.
Under the new ownership, Vandenhaute will become the majority shareholder and Vandermeiren will serve as chairman.Alderweireld will serve in an ambassadorial role.
In a statement, CEO Sven Jacques said: “Together with the new shareholders, I am taking the next step in the development of our ambitious club. This requires a realistic sporting vision, with targeted investments, strong scouting, the right transfers, and maximum opportunities for homegrown talent.
“Success is not built overnight, which is why I look back with pride on the solid foundations Paul Gheysens built for RAFC. Together with the Antwerp consortium, I will continue working on this with enormous conviction.”
The sale marks the end of Gheysens’ nine-year tenure. After taking over a struggling second-tier club in 2015, Gheysens financed a dramatic turnaround that culminated in a historic league and cup double in 2023 and a redevelopment of the Bosuil Stadium. However, recent financial pressure on his real estate empire forced budget cuts and player sales.
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