Maxi Lopez Invests in Swiss Team After Failed Birmingham City Bid

Former Argentina international Maxi Lopez has acquired a 40 percent stake in Swiss football club FC Paradiso, three years after a failed attempt to take over Birmingham City.

Lopez, 41, has made the investment through his UK-based firm, Maxco Capital. Birmingham businessman Paul Richardson, who previously worked with Lopez in the attempted Birmingham City takeover, is also listed as a director of Maxco, according to the Companies House website.

A statement from FC Paradiso read: “FC Paradiso is pleased to announce that on 14.04.2025, the Club President Antonio Caggiano and Maxco Capital, investment company based in the United Kingdom led by former professional footballer Maximiliano Gaston Lopez, have officially concluded the deal for the transfer of 40% of FC Paradiso SA to Maxco Capital.”

Who Are FC Paradiso?

FC Paradiso, officially known as 1917 Football Club Paradiso, is based in the municipality of Paradiso in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, Switzerland. They currently compete in the Swiss Promotion League—the third tier of Swiss football.

The club was founded on 1 September 1917 by locals aiming to promote the sport in the region. In the current 2023–24 season, FC Paradiso are on course for their best-ever league finish, set to end third in the table. The squad includes midfielder Oan Djorkaeff, son of former France international Youri Djorkaeff.

Lopez and the Birmingham City Saga

Lopez, who played for top European clubs including Barcelona, AC Milan and Torino during his career, previously attempted to purchase Birmingham City in 2022, alongside Richardson. The duo even appeared at St Andrew’s for press events and were seen posing with then-new signings such as Tahith Chong.

Despite acting as if in control of the club, the pair had not passed the English Football League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test. This led to Birmingham City being charged by the EFL for regulatory breaches. The club was ultimately sold to Knighthead Capital Management in July 2023.

Lopez confirmed the FC Paradiso investment via his social media channels on Monday, marking his official entry into football ownership.

Site Opinion

Maxi Lopez’s persistence in entering football ownership should not be underestimated. While his Birmingham City venture fell short—arguably due to underestimating the rigours of the EFL’s governance—his new Swiss venture suggests lessons have been learned. Starting with a smaller club like FC Paradiso could provide the kind of controlled environment needed to develop sustainable growth strategies.

It is, however, a long road from Swiss third-tier football to Europe’s elite. Lopez and Richardson’s ambition is evident, but so too must be their commitment to local development and regulatory compliance. Only time will tell whether FC Paradiso becomes a launchpad for something greater, or merely another stop in Lopez’s off-field journey.