Alexandre Pato drives Sports Alpha capital's Northampton Town purchase
At a modest press conference in Northampton, Sports Alpha Capital announced that it has completed the purchase of a 70 percent shareholding in Northampton Town, the League Two club of Inglaterra. The deal, approved earlier this month, sees former Brazil forward Alexandre Pato become a key figure in the club’s hierarchy.
Pato will sit on the club’s board, bringing the perspective of his former clubs São Paulo and Corinthians to the administrative council. He revealed the news on his Instagram account (@pato), a post later amplified by Gazeta Esportiva.
Northampton Town finished bottom of League One last season and were relegated to the fourth tier. After seven matches in the current campaign they sit 22nd with only one victory.
New owners outline sustainable vision
Sports Alpha Capital’s founders, João Xavier and Tim Chamberlain, said their ambition must be matched by sustainability and a deep understanding of what the club means to the people of Northampton and Northamptonshire. “Temos planos ambiciosos para o Northampton Town, mas a ambição deve andar de mãos dadas com a sustentabilidade e com a compreensão do que o clube significa para o povo de Northampton e Northamptonshire”, they stated.
Existing shareholders David Bower, Nigel Le Quesne and Kelvin Thomas will retain a collective 30 percent stake. Thomas, who led a previous takeover in 2015, will step down as chairman after more than a decade but will remain a director.
João Xavier and Tim Chamberlain will become co‑chairmen, while Pato joins the board as a director. Chief executive James Whiting and supporters’ representative Tom Cliffe stay on the board; Jim Rosenthal and Mike Wailing move to associate‑director roles.
The consortium confirmed that the transaction leaves Northampton Town debt‑free after reporting a pre‑tax loss of just under £3m in April 2026.
Pato's playing pedigree and club's recent woes
During two spells at São Paulo, Pato amassed 146 appearances, scored 49 goals and provided 26 assists, and was part of the squad that won the 2023 Copa do Brasil. At Corinthians he featured in 62 games, netted 17 times and collected the 2013 Recopa Sudamericana and Campeonato Paulista.
His most celebrated period came at AC Milan, where over five and a half years he recorded 63 goals in 150 matches and lifted the Serie A title in 2010‑11. The 37‑year‑old retired from playing last year.
Earlier this year Sports Alpha Capital explored a takeover of Colchester United, but the club chose not to proceed. Northampton appointed Chris Hogg as manager in May and added 13 new signings in the summer, including striker Matty Warhurst from Manchester City.
Gazeta Esportiva’s YouTube channel and Instagram page promoted the story, urging fans to “Siga” for further updates on the club’s evolution.