Valencia C.F. owned by Singapore Chinese Peter Lim
Valencia C.F. owned by Singaporean Peter Lim
Peter Lim (born 1953) is a Singaporean business magnate, entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor. Lim, who was one of Singapore’s leading stockbrokers, is now a private investor; he has invested in sectors ranging from palm oil to medicine. In 2019, Forbes ranked him as the 10th richest person in Singapore with a net worth of US$2.5 billion. He is the owner of Spanish football club Valencia. Lim also owns a 40% share of EFL League Two club Salford City .
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2019
Valencia CF fans protest over Peter Lim ownership
Valencia CF supporters have been protesting about Peter Lim’s ownership of the club ahead of today’s La Liga clash with Leganes.
Supporters gathered outside the Estadio Mestalla, with banners of ‘Lim Go Home’ and chanted for the club’s owner to leave his role at the club with immediate effect.
Lim has endured a fractured relationship with supporters following his purchase of the club back in 2014, with a purchase of a controlling 70% stake of shares in the club.
Anger amongst fans has reached new levels in recent weeks, following the controversial sacking of former manager Marcelino, by Lim, despite the former Villarreal CF boss bringing the club back into the Champions League.
Marcelino confirmed that Lim had given him reassurances about his position, before going back on his promise less than 24 hours later, much to the ire of Valencia CF fans.
Marcelino’s assistant Albert Celades has since stepped in as the new head coach, with fans also angry at his decision not to support Marcelino.
2014
Lim was in the Spanish port city to finalise his ownership of the club.
Earlier that day, it was confirmed that he had reached an agreement with Bankia – the Spanish bank that held most of the club’s €200 million (S$323 million) debt – on the restructuring of the club’s finances. That has paved the way for him to buy a 70 per cent stake in Valencia.
Stepping out of a luxury sedan, Lim was giving a warm handshake and hug by Valencia president Amadeo Salvo. Cameras zoomed in on the masses of fans, who chanted the Singaporean’s name feverishly, as if they were welcoming a new star striker.
Accompanied by his wife, former actress Cherie, Lim posed for photographs and was later escorted to a balcony in the stadium, where he and Salvo waved at the delighted fans below.
The 61-year-old, estimated to be worth US$2.05 billion (S$2.6 billion) by Forbes Singapore, has bought Valencia for €420 million in total, with €200 million to clear the club’s debts and £170 million to complete construction of a new stadium.
He has also splashed €45 million on two Benfica players – striker Rodrigo Moreno, 22, and midfielder Andre Gomes, 20.
Without a league title in 10 years and a trophy since the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup in 2008, Valencia were crippled by debt until Lim started buyout talks a year ago.
Rejuvenated by the hope offered by the Singaporean, Valenncia have surged up to fourth in the 20-team La Liga on 20 points, two points behind leaders Barcelona.
Peter Lim
Native name
林榮福