The owners of US club Birmingham City have completed the acquisition of the women’s team

Birmingham City’s owners have completed the purchase of the women’s team, with England and Blues legend Karen Carney part of several independent investors involved in the deal.

Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) is a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management – ​​an investment firm co-founded by Blues president Tom Wagner.

They bought a controlling stake in the Championship club in July 2023 before increasing that to a full takeover last November.

They have now captured a 97% stake in the women’s side.

The remaining 3% was held by a group of “prominent female business leaders and global professional sports icons” including 144-time international Carney and three-time US Open tennis champion Kim Clijsters.

In a statement,, external The club said the deal would “increase focus on the women’s team” and “achieve the stated ambition to compete at the highest levels of women’s football.”

They added that there would be “no immediate changes to staffing or football operations” following the takeover.