Shola Akinlade, the founder and CEO of Paystack, has acquired a 55% stake in Danish Club Aarhus Frenad. Founded in June 1947, Aarhus Fremad is currently top of the Danish 2nd Division — the third tier of the Danish football league system.
The agreement will also see Aarhus Fremad become a sister club to Sporting Lagos FC, a team in the Nigeria National League (NNL) founded by Akinlade in 2022.
On the acquisition, Sporting Lagos founder, Shola Akinlade says: “I am truly honoured and excited to embark on this new chapter with Aarhus Fremad and further our shared commitment to engaging and empowering local communities.
“By strengthening the relationship between Sporting Lagos and Aarhus Fremad, we aim to create an environment that fosters education, growth, and opportunity for our players and the community at large. I have the utmost confidence in Lars Kruse’s continued leadership as CEO, and together, we will strive to maintain the values and long-term goals that have made these clubs such a cherished part of their respective communities.”
Lars Kruse, CEO of Aarhus Fremad also shared his thoughts on the relationship. He says: “It has been an exciting process, from when I first heard that they had spotted us in Fremad all the way from Nigeria to where we are standing now. It is fantastic that there are people with the right mindset who see football as a catalyst for many other things – and in terms of values, Sporting Lagos is a Nigerian Aarhus Fremad.
“In practical terms, the agreement means that we can have a much larger perspective in Fremad, as well as an international dimension to work with. All in all, I have the feeling right now that this is a really good match – and I look forward to continuing the development in our club as well as the collaboration with Shola and his team”.
