David Villa joins Atlético board as club approves up to €100m capital increase

Atlético de Madrid have appointed former forward David Villa to their board of directors as part of a wider governance reset tied to a new shareholder structure and fresh capital earmarked for investment.The club confirmed Villa’s appointment following a general shareholders’ meeting that also approved a revised board line-up led by Enrique Cerezo as chairman and Miguel Ángel Gil as chief executive officer.Villa, who played for Atlético during their 2013-14 LaLiga-winning season, said: “I’m very happy to be able to return to the club with new responsibilities, but with the same desire to keep helping make Atlético de Madrid even greater season after season.“The club has experienced significant growth in recent years, and I hope to contribute to us continuing to achieve success. I’m very grateful that they have thought of me for this role.”The board reshuffle reflects a broader institutional shift as US investment group Apollo Sports Capital completed its majority acquisition of the club, with representation on the board adjusted to reflect the new ownership mix.Atlético said the meeting approved an increase of equity and strategic capital of up to an additional €100m to support the club’s plans, including investment in the men’s and women’s teams and major infrastructure projects.A key project referenced by the club is the Ciudad del Deporte development next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, positioned as a large-scale destination combining sport, leisure and culture.For Atlético, the combination of a new majority investor, expanded board representation and approved additional capital provides a clearer platform for long-term planning at a time when elite European clubs are leaning harder into venue-led growth, non-matchday revenues and multi-use real estate around stadium campuses.The updated board includes executives linked to Apollo and other shareholders, alongside long-standing club leadership, signalling continuity at the top while widening the club’s access to institutional capital and dealmaking capability.Atlético did not disclose a timeline for drawing down the full €100m, but the approval gives the club flexibility to sequence spending across football operations and infrastructure as projects progress.