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Kylian Mbappé is now owner of SM Caen: 15 million deal approved by DNCG

French Ligue 2 side SM Caen have a new owner. And it's not just any investor: Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappé has taken another step in his career off the pitch by finalising the purchase of the club through his investment fund, Coalition Capital. The deal, reportedly worth between €15m and €20m, has passed the final hurdle after receiving the go-ahead from the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG), the body responsible for overseeing club finances in France.

A smooth process

The green light from the DNCG came almost automatically, as the DNCG chose not to intervene after the change in ownership of the club. This lack of opposition is interpreted as implicit approval, allowing 80 per cent of SM Caen's shares to pass from US fund Oaktree Capital to Coalition Capital, the investment firm controlled by Mbappé.

The news of the purchase is not new. The club itself had already advanced at the end of July that the change of hands was underway, although no specific details about the transaction were given at the time. Now, with the official confirmation, the doubts that some had about the future of the club and its financial stability have been dispelled.

Mbappé follows in Kanté's footsteps

Kylian Mbappé is not the first active footballer to decide to invest in the world of football beyond his career on the pitch. His teammate in the French national team, N'Golo Kanté, also recently bought a club, Royal Excelsior Virton, in the Belgian second division. Both players seem to share a similar vision: they not only want to be protagonists on the pitch, but also off it.

In Mbappé's case, the relationship with SM Caen goes beyond a simple financial investment. In 2012, at the age of just 13, the young striker was on the verge of signing for the Normandy side. However, the strict rules of French football prevented the transfer from going through. A year later, when the administrative barriers no longer existed, Caen had been relegated to the second division, and Mbappé's family decided that Monaco would be a better destination for his professional development. The rest, as they say, is history.

A club with history and projection

SM Caen, who finished sixth in Ligue 2 last season, is a club that has traditionally been known for its commitment to developing young talent. Its youth academy has been a fundamental pillar of its structure, and with the arrival of Mbappé as owner, all indications are that this approach will continue, if not be further strengthened.

What does this mean for Caen's future?

With Mbappé at the helm, the outlook for SM Caen looks promising. Not only because of the financial backing that his Coalition Capital fund can bring, but also because of what the player represents in terms of image and international exposure. Having a star of Mbappé's calibre behind the team could attract more sponsors, visibility and, most importantly, attract young talent who dream of emulating his career.

Furthermore, it is not unreasonable to think that the player could leverage his influence in the football world to establish partnerships or deals with top clubs, both in France and the rest of Europe. This could be a competitive advantage for Caen in terms of signings and growth opportunities.

A step beyond football

For Mbappé, this purchase is just the latest step for a player who has already shown he is looking beyond his career on the pitch. At 25, he has achieved virtually everything at football level, but he is now proving that he also has an eye on the business world. And, just as on the pitch, it seems that in business he is also ready to win.

In short, SM Caen are embarking on a new era with one of the most important players on the planet at the helm. Only time will tell if this gamble will lead the club to new successes, but what is clear is that with Mbappé at the helm, all eyes will be on the Norman team.