49ers strike deal, take full control of English soccer team Leeds United

49ers Enterprises now has a football team and a futbol team to run. The investment group of San Francisco’s NFL team recently struck a deal to take full control of the English soccer team Leeds United.

ESPN reported this week that 49ers Enterprises reached an agreement with Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani. Not many details regarding the transaction have been released at this time.

“Both parties continue to work through the details, and further updates will be provided soon,” Leeds United said in a statement. “All of our focus remains on a quick return to the Premier League.”

Leeds United was recently relegated from the Premier League. The club will participate in the EFL Championship next season.

49ers Enterprises initially invested in the club in May 2018.

Per The Athletic, 49ers Enterprises agreed to buy Leeds at an evaluation of about $213 million. That number was previously at $500, but the relegation out of Premier League caused a serious drop.

Radrizzani has been the majority shareholder of Leeds United since 2017.

49ers enjoying strong run in NFL

Maybe 49ers Enterprises purchasing Leeds United will result in more success on the pitch. On the football field, San Francisco has enjoyed plenty of it over the past four seasons.

Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have proven to be one of the top-level teams in the NFC. The franchise has reached the NFC Championship game in three of the last four seasons, including a Super Bowl LIV appearance (following the 2019 regular season).

Even against difficult odds, the 49ers enjoyed success last season.

San Francisco lost starting quarterback Trey Lance in the second game of the 2022 season, forcing Jimmy Garoppolo back under center. Late in the year, Garoppolo sustained an injury that pushed rookie Brock Purdy into the spotlight.

Despite the injuries at the most important position, San Francisco ended the year with a 13-4 record and defeated the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys in the NFL playoffs to advance to the NFC Championship.

The injuries were too much to overcome on that particular Sunday, though, falling 31-7 to the Philadelphia Eagles.