American George Altirs takes ownership of Danish club

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Jul 4, 2019

George Altirs, whose soccer ventures began in 2011, when he launched New Jersey youth club Cedar Stars Academy, has become the majority owner of Danish club HB Køge. The second division team is one of several clubs in five nations in which Altirs has ownership. They include Germany's MSV Duisburg (men and women), Ghana's Inter Allies, Greece's Panachaiki FC, Jamaica's Montego Bay United and USL League Two's Cedar Stars Rush.

"We will continue to expand the global initiatives of the clubs and academies within the Capelli Sport network," said Altirs. "Our plan is to have HB Køge be a leader for our global activities."

Altirs, who founded the women's fashion apparel company Capelli New York/GMA Accessories Inc., in the late 1980s, co-founded sportswear company Capelli Sport with his wife, Elisabeth Altirs, in 2011. Capelli Sport has since partnered with pro clubs and academies in 25 nations. In the USA they include Rush Youth Soccer, PA Classics, Loudon SC and the Colorado Switchbacks. Cedar Stars became a U.S. Soccer Development Academy club in 2014 and merged with NJSA, the New Jersey club founded by Tab Ramos.

The Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth has been fielding teams in both the boys and girls DA, while Cedar Stars Academy-Bergen has added girls teams for the 2019-20 season.

“Our goal is to connect all of the clubs that George has ownership in, as well as our Capelli Sport partner clubs globally," says Jason Arnold, Capelli Sport Vice President, Sporting Business. "This will provide player development opportunities, coaching education opportunities, team tournament opportunities and much more potential."

International partner clubs include AEK Athens and Chile's San Luis de Quillota and Deportes Temuco.

Altirs' acquisition of HB Køge coincides with the club's 10th anniversary. It was created in 2009 through the merger of Herfølge Boldklub and Køge Boldklub. HB Køge, which last season finished seventh NordicBet LIGA in 2018-19 season, aims to win promotion to the Danish Superliga, in which it has had two stints in the last decade.