DLA Piper has advised international investor consortium BFC Investment on its acquisition of Championship football club Barnsley FC, from Oakwell Holdings Limited.

The consortium is headed by Chien Lee and Pacific Media Group, led by Paul Conway and Grace Hung. Also investing in the consortium are Billy Beane and Neerav Parekh. Previous owners the Cryne family will retain an interest, continuing their 14-year association with the Club.

The Club gained English Football League approval for the change in ownership and the new directors have now taken up their positions on the board of the Club.

The DLA Piper team in Sheffield was led by Corporate partner Rob McKie with support from senior associate Sarah Riley.

Rob McKie, who has advised a number of clients investing into Yorkshire based football clubs in recent years, said: ""This is an exciting time for Barnsley FC and its stakeholders and we are delighted to have advised on the deal. This is a clear indication of ongoing interest from international investors in UK football, which continues to go from strength to strength.”