Former Arsenal director of football Edu will serve as a senior advisor to the new owners of League Two club Northampton Town after leaving Nottingham Forest. A Brazilian consortium featuring former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato has completed a takeover of Northampton, who are 23rd in League Two.
Edu's new role
Edu left his role as Nottingham Forest's global head of football in September and has since joined the board of directors at Bulgarian top-flight club Levski Sofia. Speaking at an open forum event, Cobblers co-chairman Joao Xavier said: "We are very proud to have Alex with us and Edu with us too."
Xavier explains the arrangement
Asked about Edu's role, Xavier said: "We became friends as he had a role at Nottingham Forest and I asked him to help me learn more about English football."
Xavier said: "Edu is a senior advisor for one of our partners, acting as an advisor for Levski Sofia and also here, helping us navigate the sporting questions here at the club, not day to day, just when we ask him and when we need him."
Ownership links
Levski Sofia are owned by London-based investment firm Gemcorp Capital, who are an investor in Sports Alpha Capital, the group which has become Northampton's majority shareholder.
Asked about Edu's role, Xavier said: "The club will never be part of a multi-club ownership - no other club is part of our project."