Willem II has become the owner of the Koning Willem II stadium. The football club from the Keuken Kampioen Division has taken over the stadium from the municipality of Tilburg.
General manager Martin van Geel calls the purchase “a very important and historic moment” for Willem II. “Now that the purchase has been completed, the club can take advantage of the many opportunities and advantages it offers. Over a long period of time, many parties and individuals have put their heart and soul into this. It has become apparent that there is a great deal of knowledge, expertise and experience within our club. Partly by combining those forces, we were able to complete the purchase,” says Van Geel.
The definitive purchase agreement states, among other things, the purchase at the book value of 4.9 million euros for buyer’s costs and the obligation for the club to carry out safety investments for 3.5 million euros, of which 1.5 million euros is for the account of the municipality. The German OLB Bank provides the necessary financing of 5.8 million euros.
The takeover puts an end to lengthy talks that started in 2017. After initially not reaching an agreement, the parties reconvened two years later. At the end of last year, the parties reached a purchase agreement, after which the city council gave final approval last month.