Bridge Football Group has acquired Swiss club Grasshopper Club Zurich, one of the country’s most historic football teams, from Los Angeles FC for an undisclosed fee.

The sale process attracted more than a dozen interested parties, but Bridge Football Group was ultimately selected because of its long-term strategic vision and commitment to preserving the club’s heritage while investing in its future, according to a joint statement from Markham Capital and Sports Advisory, which managed the transaction.

As part of the deal, the group, led by Ludovic Deléchat, a lawyer and former senior legal executive at FIFA, will acquire a 96% stake in the Swiss club.

Bridge Football Group already owns three clubs — Den Bosch (Netherlands), Shaanxi Union (China) and Pro Vercelli (Italy) — as well as four football academies.

Two difficult seasons

Founded in 1886, Grasshopper has endured two difficult seasons, battling relegation shortly after being acquired by Los Angeles FC, a move that sparked frustration among supporters.

Despite its recent struggles, Grasshopper remains one of Switzerland’s most successful clubs, having won a record 27 league titles. The club last lifted the Swiss championship trophy in 2003.

Los Angeles FC said it will now focus on its long-term partnership with Austrian club FC Wacker Innsbruck.

In April, Los Angeles FC revealed that Grasshopper’s future was at risk without continued financial backing from its owners and subsequently launched a sale process.