Alderweireld’s consortium rescues Antwerp FC from financial brink

While months of financial uncertainty loomed over the Belgische club Antwerp FC, a consortium led by former Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld has secured the club’s future, turning a looming crisis into a stabilised outlook and promises fresh investment for the team and its supporters.

The takeover group brings together Toby Alderweireld, entrepreneur Wouter Vandenhaute, dozens of local businessmen and the Belgian bank KBC. Vandenhaute, a former Anderlecht chairman, will act as the main shareholder in the new ownership structure.

The consortium acquires The Great Old from Paul Gheysens. Alderweireld, a former Ajacied, joins the investors to preserve the historic identity of Antwerp FC.

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Gheysens had been required to repay a leveraged fund loan of up to ten million euros. Failure to meet the repayment could have allowed the fund to seize a portion of the club.

Als Gheysens niet aan die verplichting kon voldoen, zou het fonds een deel van de club overnemen. The solution to the loan issue therefore halted any further borrowing plans by the former owner.

‘We want to thank the Antwerp entrepreneurs. Their love for the club has deeply moved us,’ said Wouter Vandenhaute and Toby Alderweireld in a joint statement.

Niet Vandenhaute, but Jacques Vandermeiren, former CEO of Port of Antwerp‑Bruges, will become the new chairman of Antwerp. The port is the largest in Europe after Rotterdam, underscoring the club’s strong regional ties.