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Axel Springer takes over majority stake of Germanys largest football community
Friday 26. September 2008 - Axel Springer AG takes over the majority stake of Transfermarkt.de, the leading German football community, with 51 percent.
The corresponding agreements, which include a capital increase at Transfermarkt.de, have been signed. The previous sole owner and founder Matthias Seidel, who remains shareholder with 49 percent of shares, will continue leading the community as Managing Director and fulfilling editorial responsibilities.
Dr. Jens Müffelmann, Director of the Division Electronic Media: “With the takeover of Transfermarkt.de Axel Springer becomes the market leader in sports not only in the print media but also on the Internet. Users and readers will benefit from the co-operation and the possibilities of cross-media interactions. The profile and the autonomy of Transfermarkt.de will also be preserved in the future.”
Matthias Seidel, founder and Managing Director of Transfermarkt.de: “I am glad to have found in Axel Springer a partner who is competent, has a large coverage and is a leader in sports. Together with the new shareholder we can develop Transfermarkt.de even faster and more sustainably.”
By taking over a majority stake of Transfermarkt Axel Springer occupies with the field of sports a further strategic core market of the digital media within its digitization offensive. At the beginning of the month Axel Springer AG had already announced the majority takeover of the online games provider Gamigo.