Udinese sold after 39 years under Pozzo family, American investors to take over
Il Messagero reports that Udinese Calcio have officially changed hands after nearly four decades of ownership under the Pozzo family. The club has been sold to a group of American entrepreneurs backed by a New York-based investment fund, with the transaction reportedly valued at around €150m.
The news marks the end of an era that began in 1986 when Giampaolo Pozzo acquired Udinese from Lamberto Mazza. Since then, Udinese have spent 29 consecutive seasons in Serie A, establishing themselves as a mainstay in Italy’s top flight and a symbol of stability in Italian football.
Despite repeated inquiries, the Pozzo family have so far declined to comment publicly on the matter. However, the sale is said to be genuine and finalised in recent days. According to reports, the identity of the new ownership group — which involves American investors and a U.S.-based fund — will be officially revealed in the coming hours.
The change in ownership ends a long chapter of consistent leadership. Under the Pozzo family, Udinese not only maintained top-flight status but also made notable appearances in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. In 2016, they unveiled a fully renovated 25,000-seat stadium, one of the few in the world designed to be energy-independent thanks to its integrated photovoltaic structures.
Despite rumours of a potential sale circulating since 2020, with American investors often linked to such talks, this is the first time a deal has actually been completed. Unlike Watford FC — the Pozzos’ English club — which will remain under the control of Giampaolo’s son Gino, Udinese will now be managed by the new American owners. Nevertheless, the Pozzo family is expected to retain a minority stake in the club, adopting a model similar to that used at Atalanta.
The transfer of ownership closes one of the longest-running eras in modern Serie A and signals the beginning of a new chapter for the Friulian club.
