Aberdeen

MLS club Atlanta United partners with Scotland’s Aberdeen FC

Published Nov. 24, 2019 8:13 p.m. ET

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United has announced a strategic partnership with Scottish club Aberdeen FC.

The Major League Soccer team will be investing $2.57 million (£2 million) to gain a minority ownership stake of less than 10% in the four-time Scottish Premiership champions.

United President Darren Eales will join Aberdeen’s board of directors, but Atlanta will not be involved in day-to-day operations of the Dons.

Eales says the deal is a chance for United to expand its global reach, while advising Aberdeen FC on ways to improve its game-day experience as it pushes for a new stadium.

Atlanta United has set numerous MLS attendance records and won the league championship in 2018. The team has averaged more than 50,000 fans per game the last two seasons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Aberdeen FC is pushing for a new facility to replace 120-year-old Pittodrie Stadium.

United’s partnership with Aberdeen is part of a $6.42 million (£5 million) investment led by software entrepreneur Dave Cormack, a native of Aberdeen who now lives in Atlanta.

Cormack, a United season ticket holder, is set to take over as Aberdeen FC chairman.

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