FC Andorra, the team owned by Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, have been promoted to Segunda B to replace crisis-stricken Reus.
Pique deposited the €452,022 fee for his club to be promoted into the third level of Spanish football to replace Reus, who had been automatically demoted from the second flight midway through last season due to their financial woes.
It is a ‘double promotion’ for Andorra, who had been playing in the fifth tier, and also raises question marks over a club owned by a Barcelona player competing in the same division as Barcelona B.
The Spanish FA confirmed the news on Monday with Andorra beating off competition from other Catalan clubs alongside those from Zamora, Jaén, Alcobendas Sport, Intercity and Linares, adds the report in Marca.
The former Spain international, through his company Kosmos, have recently taken control of Gimnàstic Manresawho will subsequently become an affiliate of FC Andorra – whom Pique officially bought in January.
That move saw Kosmos take full responsibility for the club’s debt after Andorra’s directors sanctioned the move at a general meeting, with the portfolio of clubs now growing.
The plans are said to be focused on Andorra becoming a professional club who will compete in the top two divisions of Spanish football, with Gimàstic providing support in allowing this reality to unfold.
Pique will now become the club’s leading shareholder while the move will ensure that Gimàstic Manresa will become a Sports Public Limited Company.
FC Andorra currently compete in the Primera Catalana – the fifth level of Spanish football – but played in the third tier between 1980 and 1998, with a Copa del Rey fourth round appearance in 1991.
Pique’s company Kosmos also have made business moves in tennis, esports, video games, eyeglasses, isotonic drinks and organic hamburgers.
