Taylor Wessing has advised the Jordanian Al Qadi family on their acquisition of Bristol Rovers Football Club.

The League Two football club, founded in 1883, is nicknamed ‘The Gas’ and has always been known as a family club. As part of the deal, Mr Wael Al Qadi who is a lifelong fan of English football and a member of the executive board of the Jordan Football Association, will become President. The former Chairman of Swansea City, Steve Hamer, will become the football club’s new Chairman, replacing Nick Higgs who will step down.

Wael Al Qadi commented: “I’ve been a passionate football fan all of my life and I’m excited to become involved with Bristol Rovers, which has such an amazing heritage and loyal fan base. We were once again supported by the excellent team at Taylor Wessing, whose dedication and expertise ensured a smooth transaction.”

Mike Turner, Corporate partner at Taylor Wessing added: “Football clubs as an asset class present their own particular challenges but this is a transaction on which it has been a pleasure to work. Bristol Rovers will no doubt make exceptional strides due to the Al Qadi family’s involvement and commitment and we wish all parties every success going forward.”

David de Ferrars, partner at Taylor Wessing said: “We were delighted to once again work with the Al Qadi family, with whom we have a long-standing relationship.”

This is just one of a number of transactions Taylor Wessing has acted on within the football industry. In December 2014, Taylor Wessing advised its client Brentford Football Club on a development agreement to build a new 20,000 seater stadium and 901 residential units, community facilities and shops.

The Taylor Wessing team was led by Corporate Partner Mike Turner, along with Associates Siobhán Langwade and Jemilla Olufeko. They were supported by Al Watson (Head of Planning and Environment), Nash Adjaye (Associate, Planning and Environment), Scott Harrison (Senior Counsel, Real Estate), Joanne Kelly (Partner, Construction), Paul Callaghan (Partner, Employment), Joe Aiston (Associate, Employment), Mark Smith (Partner, Pensions), Emma Aylwin (Associate, Pensions), James Walton (Senior Associate, Finance), Nikol Davies (Partner, Tax), James Stewart (Senior Associate, Tax), Eithne James (Associate, Tax), David de Ferrars (Partner, Disputes and Investigations) and Natalie Todd (Senior Associate, Disputes and Investigations).