Meet Chelsea’s new owners, Clearlake Capital

Chelsea has transitioned into a new ownership phase following the acquisition of Todd Boehly's and Mark Walter's ownership stakes by Clearlake Capital, an American investment firm, thereby establishing complete control over the Premier League institution.

The club formally announced this transition on Wednesday, confirming that Clearlake's affiliated entities would assume Boehly's ownership interest and Walter's shareholding. According to the club's statement, Swiss entrepreneur Hansjörg Wyss will continue to serve as a significant stakeholder and collaborative partner within the ownership structure.

Boehly has additionally resigned from his position as chairman.

This development represents a significant restructuring of Chelsea's ownership composition, occurring four years subsequent to the initial collaboration between Clearlake and Boehly to purchase the club from Roman Abramovich.

Who comprises the new ownership of Chelsea?

What constitutes Clearlake Capital?

Clearlake Capital represents a multinational private investment enterprise established in 2006 by Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano.

Based on information accessible through Clearlake's official website, the organization engages in private equity, liquid and private credit investments, alongside supplementary investment methodologies.

Clearlake indicates that its private-equity operations concentrate on three principal sectors: technology, industrial enterprises, and consumer-oriented businesses.

The organization participates in both private and public market transactions across various capital structures, encompassing acquisitions, corporate asset separations, organizational restructurings, and financial recapitalizations.

According to its published materials, Clearlake endeavors to collaborate with proficient management teams by furnishing what it characterizes as "patient, long-term capital" and implementing its O.P.S. operational enhancement methodology.

The firm indicates that its investment approach targets enterprises capable of benefiting from operational enhancements, encompassing organizations undergoing transition and entities impacted by market disruptions.

Clearlake was founded in 2006 with three employees and an initial fund of $182m, according to the firm’s corporate history.

Its website says the firm now has more than $185bn in combined assets under management, more than 500 employees globally and has led or co-led more than 1,900 investments.

Clearlake’s expansion has included the opening of offices in London and Dublin in 2022 and Singapore in 2023.

The firm said it launched Clearlake Credit in 2025 after acquiring MV Credit.

In 2026, Clearlake completed the acquisition of Pathway Capital Management. The firm said the acquisition contributed to its expansion as a global private-markets platform and brought its combined assets under management to more than $185bn.

Behdad Eghbali

Behdad Eghbali is a co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital

Clearlake’s website identifies Eghbali as one of the firm’s two managing partners and says he has been involved in building the investment platform since its establishment in 2006.

He has also been one of the key representatives of Clearlake in its ownership of Chelsea.

When Chelsea announced the latest ownership transition, the club identified Eghbali and José E. Feliciano as Clearlake’s co-founders.

In the statement, Eghbali and Feliciano described Boehly as an “important partner” during their ownership of Chelsea and thanked him for his contribution as chairman.

They said Clearlake’s focus under full control would be on continued investment in the club’s infrastructure, sporting performance and player development.

José E. Feliciano

José E. Feliciano is Clearlake’s other co-founder and managing partner.

Clearlake’s corporate profile identifies Feliciano as part of the firm’s senior leadership alongside Eghbali.

Like Eghbali, Feliciano has been involved in Clearlake’s development since the firm was established in 2006.

The firm says its investment activities now cover private equity, private credit and other related strategies, with investments ranging from mid-cap to large-cap businesses.

In its announcement on Chelsea’s ownership transition, the club quoted Feliciano and Eghbali as saying Clearlake would build on the strategic course established during the four years of joint ownership.

How Clearlake became involved with Chelsea

Clearlake first became Chelsea’s majority owner in 2022 when it joined a consortium led by Boehly to acquire the club from Abramovich.

Chelsea’s official announcement of the 2022 takeover said the consortium included Boehly, Clearlake, Wyss and Walter.

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, Boehly and Clearlake exercised joint control and equal governance over the club, with Boehly functioning as chairman of the holding company, as stated by Chelsea.

Clearlake maintained a 61.5 per cent ownership stake in Chelsea under the ownership structure, whereas Boehly, Walter, and Wyss each retained 12.8 per cent.

Clearlake preserved its position as the majority owner throughout the four-year duration.

What modifications have occurred?

Chelsea announced that Clearlake affiliates would acquire the ownership interests held by both Boehly and Walter, thereby enabling the investment firm to assume complete control of the club.

Wyss shall continue as a significant stakeholder, according to Chelsea.

The club further stated that no alterations would be implemented to its operational procedures, administrative structure, or strategic direction following the transaction.

Boehly, who had held the position of chairman since the 2022 acquisition, has relinquished that role.

In a statement released by Chelsea, Boehly expressed that serving as chairman had been an "honour" and conveyed his confidence that the club was "well positioned for continued success under Clearlake's leadership."

Eghbali and Feliciano, conversely, indicated that Clearlake would persist in investing in Chelsea's infrastructure, athletic performance, and player development initiatives.

Chelsea reported that considerable investment had previously been allocated under the joint ownership arrangement across the men's and women's senior squads, youth development programs, the Cobham training complex, medical and player-support systems, the academy, and the club's sporting and business management.

The club's recent announcement consequently reallocates control rather than introducing an entirely new investor to Chelsea. Clearlake has functioned as the majority owner since 2022 and shall now become the club's controlling proprietor following the departure of Boehly and Walter.