Maxi Lopez buys football club after failed Birmingham City takeover

Former Argentine footballer Maxi Lopez tried to buy Birmingham City alongside Birmingham-based businessman Paul Richardson

Maxi Lopez has finally invested in a football team three years after he appeared to be on the brink of a Birmingham City takeover.

Former footballer Lopez, 41, has acquired a 40 percent stake in Swiss third tier side FC Paradiso through his UK-based company Maxco Capital. Birmingham-based businessman Paul Richardson is also listed as a director of Maxco on the Companies House website.

A press release from FC Paradiso said: “FC Paradiso is pleased to announce that on 14.04.2025 the Club President Antonio Caggiano and Maxco Capital, investment company based in the United Kingdom led by former professional footballer Maximiliano Gaston Lopez, have officially concluded the deal for the transfer of 40% of FC Paradiso SA to Maxco Capital.”

Lopez, who enjoyed a stellar playing career with Barcelona, AC Milan and Torino among his many clubs, posted details of the announcement on his social media channels on Monday.

Lopez’s foray into football ownership started three years ago when he and Richardson tried to purchase Blues unsuccessfully before Knighthead Capital Management sealed the deal in July 2023.

Maxco men Lopez and Richardson were seen at St Andrew’s on numerous occasions and even called a press conference at the stadium to discuss their plans with journalists.

They also posed for pictures with summer signings in 2022, including Tahith Chong, after effectively taking control of Blues without the approval of the EFL. Blues were later charged by the EFL as a result of Lopez and Richardson not adhering to the Owners and Directors’ Test.

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