Puma Sportswear Says It Will Buy Stake in Borussia Dortmund

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Puma (IW 1000/842), the German maker of sportswear and equipment, said on Thursday it intends to acquire up to 5% of soccer club Borussia Dortmund.

"Sports company Puma intends to take a direct stake in Borussia Dortmund, having sponsored the football club since 2012," the company said in a statement.

Puma would do so by acquiring up to 5% of the club's share capital via a capital increase announced by Borussia Dortmund earlier.

The move would "underpin our long-term, strategic partnership and to intensify the cooperation with one of Germany's top clubs," Puma said.

"As one of the top clubs in Germany and Europe, Borussia Dortmund is the perfect fit for Puma, increasing its brand awareness on a national and international level," said Puma CEO Bjorn Gulden.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, managing director of Borussia Dortmund, said the partnership "brings not only financial benefits for Borussia Dortmund, but we are also looking forward to intensive networking with our innovative sponsor in Germany and abroad."

Puma has been Borussia Dortmund's technical partner since July 2012, providing official playing kits for all associated Borussia Dortmund teams, including the senior men's and youth teams as well as replica kits, fanwear and other merchandise.

Borussia Dortmund is planning to issue up to 24.5 million new shares at 4.66 euros ($6.18) each.

With the 114.4 million euros raised, Borussia Dortmund would use 40 million euros to cut its debt, it said.

The soccer club's shares were trading at 4.92 euros on the Frankfurt stock exchange on Thursday.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2014