Nottingham Forest will be up against Everton and their new owners when they go to Goodison Park for their last Premier League match of 2024.
A statement issued by the Merseyside club on Thursday said they had been acquired by Roundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, an entity within the Friedkin Group. The deal has been approved by the Premier League, the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority. It means the Friedkin Group now own a 98.8 per cent stake in Everton.
Forest are at Goodison Park on December 29 (3pm kick-off), their final appearance at the stadium with the Toffees aiming to have moved to their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock by the start of the new season.
The match will also bring down the curtain on a turbulent 12 months for both clubs in which they were punished with points deductions for breaching Premier League spending rules.
Of the two, Forest have emerged in the healthier position. While Everton are still struggling near the wrong end of the table - they are 15th, just three points outside the drop zone - Forest have been transformed since August and are currently fourth going into the weekend, a point ahead of champions Manchester City.
However, Everton will hope to be transformed once the Friedkin Group have stabilised the club following their takeover, which marks the end of a turbulent period under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri.
American billionaire Dan Friedkin is proposed to be chairman of the club’s board, and has appointed Marc Watts as the club’s new executive chairman.
The Friedkin Group has promised “thoughtful and strategic investment” to strengthen the first team as one of its key priorities, as well as maximising the commercial value of the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which they are due to move into in time for next season.
Outstanding debt owed to Moshiri’s Blue Heaven Holdings has been converted into equity by the Friedkin Group, ahead of a change in Premier League rules which will require shareholder loans to be assessed to determine if they represent fair market value.
“With this acquisition, TFG is committed to delivering a strong and sustainable future for Everton Football Club, restoring its competitive stature and maintaining its deep connection with fans and the community,” the club statement concluded.
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