Girondins de Bordeaux have a new owner. The French club has been sold by Gérard Lopez to English investment fund Park Bench for a symbolic €1, following weeks of negotiations.

Despite the nominal purchase price, the new owners will have to commit around €18 million to settle the club’s accumulated debts.

According to ICI Gironde, the agreement between Gérard Lopez and Park Bench was signed overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the businessman’s ownership of Girondins de Bordeaux to an end.

Girondins takeover still requires two approvals

The change of ownership still needs to clear two final hurdles before it can be officially completed.

The first is approval by the Bordeaux Commercial Court of the club’s new continuation plan. The debt is expected to be reduced to between €12 million and €13 million, with repayments spread progressively over 12 years.

The second is approval of the change of ownership and the 2026/27 budget by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional club control commission.

Once these approvals are secured, Girondins will officially be able to begin the season in Régional 1, the sixth tier of French football.

Park Bench faces €18 million financial commitment

Although Park Bench has acquired Girondins de Bordeaux for just €1, the English investment fund will face significantly higher financial obligations.

According to ICI Gironde, the investors have committed to spending at least €18 million to settle the club’s various debts over the long term.

The amount includes the new continuation plan, as well as agreements reached with former creditors.

Among them is Fortress, which is due to receive €1.5 million, while former manager Vladimir Petkovic has reached an agreement worth €1.9 million.

The figure also includes debts incurred during last season and amounts owed under the AGS, France’s salary guarantee scheme, following the club’s latest redundancy programme.

Gérard Lopez cuts ties with Girondins

The sale marks the end of Gérard Lopez’s association with Girondins de Bordeaux.

Negotiations between the businessman and Park Bench proved particularly difficult in recent weeks, especially after the club was excluded from the national competitions and relegated to the regional leagues.

Although an agreement had been announced at the Bordeaux Commercial Court last week, several clauses and details still needed to be finalised.

Lopez has also reportedly waived his so-called return-to-better-fortunes clause, which had not been removed from the agreement to sell the club to Sparta Capital in July.

Following the latest transaction, the businessman will have no remaining ties to Girondins.

New ownership begins rebuilding process

With the change of ownership, Girondins can now focus on rebuilding the club both on and off the pitch.

Dominique Delport, Park Bench’s representative and future president of Bordeaux, intends, for now, to retain two figures already working within the club: Arnaud Saint-André and Arnaud Cormier.

Saint-André is expected to remain as general manager. He has held the position for two years and retains the confidence of several figures within the club.

Arnaud Cormier, meanwhile, is expected to take charge of the first team for the 2026/27 season.

Girondins targeting swift return to national football

The new ownership intends to quickly assemble a squad capable of challenging for promotion to National 2.

The team is expected to include several players from the former National 1 squad, including Ruben Droehnlé, Léo Jousselin and Soufiane Bahassa.

Defender Najib Cissé could also remain at the club.

Meanwhile, Driss Trichard, Steve Shamal and Guillaume Odru are negotiating their departures, while Pierre Lavenant and Patrick Koffi have already left Bordeaux.

Girondins’ first league match is scheduled for 17 October against Bayonne.