Samba flair will descend on Sixfields with former Brazil and Milan forward Alexandre Pato involved in a consortium that's set to complete a takeover of Northampton Town.
The Cobblers were one of the first clubs to go through a rigorous new approval process introduced by the Independent Football Regulator, which was implemented with the aim of preventing club's being purchased by reckless investors and preserving the financial stability of English football.
With the deal now ratified by the EFL and IFR, Northampton will now commence a new chapter in the club's 129-year history with Pato a high-profile figurehead for the investment consortium, Sports Alpha Capital.
Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “The successful completion of both the IFR and EFL processes represents an important milestone for the club and should provide supporters and stakeholders with further confidence in the proposed investment and the foundations being put in place for the club’s future.
“We would like to thank both the EFL and the IFR for their professionalism, diligence and thoroughness throughout their respective processes.
“Now the regulatory processes have been completed we move towards completing the remaining documentation and finalising the investment. Full details regarding the investment, structure and the principal investors involved will be announced upon completion."
Pato was deemed one of the most talented wonderkids in world football when he made his debut for Internacional aged 17 and the forward subsequently earned a move to Italian giants Milan a year later.
He spent six years at the San Siro, winning the Serie A title and Supercoppa Italiana during his time with the Rossoneri, before returning to Brazil with Corinthians. Pato ventured back to Europe in 2016 to join Chelsea, making two appearances for the Blues in a four-month loan spell, prior to joining Villarreal on a permanent basis.
The 2009 Golden Boy recipient played for Tianjin Tianhai in China and Orlando City in the MLS before rounding off his career with a second stint at Sao Paulo, and Pato has since embarked on a career in punditry whilst exploring investment opportunities with various football clubs.
Speculation concerning Pato's potential involvement in the investment group attempting to purchase Northampton ramped up when the former Brazil international followed the Cobblers on Instagram.
Pato's social media activity caught the eye earlier this year when he engaged with Colchester United posts as the Sports Alpha Capital group attempted to purchase the Essex outfit.
The 36-year-old, who retired from professional football in 2023, even attended a League Two fixture between Colchester and Fleetwood Town before his investment group decided to withdraw from negotiations in February.
Despite the Colchester door closing, Sports Alpha Capital were keen to explore other opportunities in the Football League when the Northampton door was prised open.
In April, Northampton announced a £2.99m pre-tax loss for the 12 months to the end of June 2025, set against a club record turnover of £7.5m.
Cobblers chairman Thomas previously stated that if the investment was successful the club would be debt-free.
Northampton finished bottom of the League One standings last season as their three-year stay in the third tier came to an unceremonious end.
The club appointed Chris Hogg as manager in May and the Sixfields outfit will be looking to orchestrate an immediate return to League One.
Northampton are winless from their opening four matches back in the fourth tier. Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Crawley Town was their third stalemate of the season, with draws against Swindon Town and Gillingham sandwiching a 1-0 defeat to Crewe Alexandra.
Cobblers boss Hogg remains optimistic on his side's chances for the campaign, and the club bolstered their ranks on deadline day with the triple signing of winger Owen Dale on a 12-month deal, midfielder Sam Chambers and defender Josh Powell on loan.
