Publications
Partners
BERLIN, Jan 22 - Billionaire Klaus-Michael Kuehne has acquired a 7.5 percent stake at former European champions Hamburg SV after pumping in 18.75 million euros in investment and also bagged the stadium naming rights, the club said on Thursday.
Hamburg, struggling to avoid relegation in the past few seasons, has been dogged by financial problems and a string of expensive but unsuccessful transfers.
Kuehne's investment is not only a much-needed shot in the arm for Hamburg but a major hope for the long-term future of the only Bundesliga club to never have played in the second division since the top league's creation in 1963.
The billionaire will also give the stadium its old name 'Volksparkstadion' back from July 1, 2015 after acquiring the naming rights for "initially" four years.
"For me as a Hamburg fan it was a matter of the heart that the home of the club has again its traditional name," Kuehne said in a club statement.
"I wish that the club can enjoy success at the Volksparkstadion like in the past.
Hamburg's stadium, currently called the Imtech Arena, was known as the Volksparkstadion until 2001.
"We are continuing our financial consolidation with this move and have reached an important milestone," Karl Gernandt, Hamburg football board chairman, told reporters.
"We will continue working so that Hamburg can win back its ability to be competitive on all levels in the Bundesliga."
Hamburg are 14th in the league, two points above last-placed Freiburg with the Bundesliga resuming on Jan. 30.
