Lionel Messi agrees deal to buy second-tier Spanish club Eldense

Messi poised to become majority owner of a second club in Spain after the purchase of fifth-tier UE Cornella in April.

Lionel Messi has reached an agreement in principle to become the new owner of Spanish second-division side CD Eldense, the club has confirmed.

“At this time, the operation is pending completion of the final legal and contractual procedures, including the corresponding due diligence process, as well as the mandatory authorisation from the High Council for Sports (CSD),” Eldense told the Reuters news agency.

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The Argentina legend and Inter Miami forward is close to completing a deal to purchase 100 percent ⁠of the shares held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group SAS, the current majority shareholder.

Messi, 39, is poised to become the majority owner of a ⁠second club in Spain, after the purchase of UE Cornella on April 16 earlier this year.

Cornella, who play in the fifth tier of Spain’s football pyramid, have a reputation for success in grassroots and youth football, with a number of graduates ‌from their academy going on to join Messi’s former club Barcelona over the years.

Messi will be unable to invest heavily in signing players for Eldense, due to Spain’s strict salary limit rules.

Messi is one of a number of ‌big names in Spanish football who have become club owners. Former teammate Gerard Pique’s Kosmos group own Andorra who also play in Spain’s second tier.

Real Madrid forwards ‌Vinicius ‌Jr and Kylian Mbappe are part of investment groups that are majority shareholders at Alverca in Portugal and SM Caen in France, respectively.

He is also set to receive a stake in current club Inter Miami after the expiry of his playing contract. Reports in Spain on Tuesday said the deal to purchase Eldense is expected to be completed in the coming days.