Sporting Lagos have confirmed that their ownership stake in Danish club Aarhus Fremad has officially come to an end, with the Nigerian National League side choosing to conclude the ownership phase of the partnership while maintaining other collaborative relationships between both clubs.
The announcement was made via Sporting Lagos’ social media platforms in a statement titled “A Note From Us: Sporting Lagos x Aarhus Fremad”. The club explained that the decision was taken after two years of shared progress and reflection on where their greatest impact lies. According to the statement, the original goal of acquiring a stake in Aarhus Fremad in 2023 was to create a reliable pathway for talented Nigerian players to transition into European football, a pathway the club says remains active despite the end of the ownership arrangement.
Sporting Lagos revealed that the partnership has expanded beyond a single route for player development, with multiple transfer pathways now available for their talents across Europe. The club noted that this growth has provided more flexibility and reach, while also highlighting that the most significant impact is achieved at the grassroots level in Nigeria, where talent is first discovered and nurtured.
Over the past two years, Sporting Lagos players have made notable progress, with two representing Nigeria at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, while Mukhtar Adamu joined Odds BK in 2025 and went on to win the Young Player of the Year award. The club also completed four additional international transfers during the same period, achievements that have reinforced their decision to refocus efforts on talent development at home.
The statement also paid tribute to the leadership and community at Aarhus Fremad, describing the relationship as thoughtful, open, and deeply collaborative from the beginning. Sporting Lagos expressed appreciation for the warmth of the Aarhus community and the strong connection with supporters, adding that the shared sense of purpose extended beyond football.
During the partnership, Aarhus Fremad enjoyed significant progress on the pitch, earning promotion from the third division to the second division after spending 15 years in the lower tier. Sporting Lagos said they were proud to have contributed to that success and grateful to have been part of the club’s journey.
The partnership, according to the statement, created meaningful opportunities for players, encouraged exchanges between clubs, and built relationships that will last beyond any formal structure. Sporting Lagos concluded by thanking everyone involved and expressing confidence that the best part of the journey is still ahead.
It will be recalled that in March 2023, Sporting Lagos owner Shola Akinlade, co-founder and CEO of Paystack, acquired a 55 percent stake in Aarhus Fremad, officially making the Danish club a sister team to Sporting Lagos FC, which he founded in 2022.
