LOS ANGELES & STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International soccer icon Zlatan Ibrahimović will continue his relationship with AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, by acquiring 50% of AEG’s ownership interest in Hammarby Fotboll, one of the largest and most well-known soccer clubs in Sweden. The Stockholm-based club competes in Sweden’s first tier Allsvenskan and plays its home matches at Tele2 Arena.
“Hammarby is one of the most historic clubs in Swedish football and we believe that adding Zlatan Ibrahimović, one of the world’s most respected and experienced players, will create additional opportunities for the club,” said Dan Beckerman, President and CEO, AEG. “AEG will continue to hold our remaining ownership shares in Hammarby and support the club’s operations and development, but now it will be in collaboration with one of the most knowledgeable and iconic players of all time.”
The Swedish-born Ibrahimović is one of only three professional players in the modern era to score more than 500 career goals for club and country. Additionally, he just concluded his second and final season as a member of AEG’s Major League Soccer team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he scored 53 goals in 58 matches.
“Hammarby is a great club, with passionate supporters and a respected history in Stockholm and throughout Sweden,” said Zlatan Ibrahimović. “I´ve always admired Hammarby and its fans, and I’m impressed by the club’s performance over the past years both on and off the field. I am excited for the opportunity to continue my relationship with AEG while supporting one of the most interesting and influential clubs in Sweden.”
Having set records for the highest average home attendance in Scandinavia during the last six seasons (in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) with an average between 20,500 and 25,507, Hammarby ended the 2019 season with eight straight wins to finish 3rd in Allsvenskan and qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League, their first continental competition in over ten years.
“This is of course exciting news and we look forward to welcoming Zlatan to our club,” said Richard von Yxkull, Chairman of Hammarby Fotboll. “The last couple of years we have had a strong development in Hammarby and Zlatan’s experience and passion for the game can of course be beneficial for us when we now focus on taking the next step as a club.”
Throughout his playing career, Ibrahimović has won 11 league titles in four separate countries while representing Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan and Inter Milan in addition to leading his clubs to numerous other major championships, including the UEFA Europa League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Italian Super Cup (3x), French League Cup (3x), French Super Cup (3x), a Dutch Super Cup and Dutch Cup, among others.
Additionally, Ibrahimović joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the third active player to score 500 goals for club and country with a goal against Toronto FC on Sept. 15, 2018. In two seasons with the LA Galaxy, Ibrahimović was named LA Galaxy Player of the Year twice, earned MLS Best XI honors twice, won MLS Newcomer of the Year, won MLS Goal of the Year and set an LA Galaxy club record for goals scored in a single season.
ABOUT AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Facilities, which through its affiliation with ASM Global, owns, manages or consults with more than 300 preeminent arenas, stadiums, convention centers and performing arts venues around the world; Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE, Mercedes Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin; and Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 160 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.
ABOUT HAMMARBY IF
Hammarby IF was founded in 1897 as a rowing club and started playing football/soccer in 1915. The team won the Swedish Championship in 2001, and were runners up in 1922, 1982 and 2003. The club has also appeared in the Swedish Cup finals in 1977, 1983 and 2010 finishing second each time. In 1985, Hammarby won the Swedish Championship for women.
With 19,000 members, Hammarby IF is recognized throughout Europe for their extremely passionate and loyal fans. In 2019, Hammarby finished at 3rd place in the Swedish league and will take part in the qualification rounds of Europa league.
Chairman of the Board in Hammarby IF is Mr Richard von Yxkull, CEO is Mr Henrik Kindlund, Sport Director/GM is Mr Jesper Jansson and Head Coach is Mr Stefan Billborn.
