PRESS RELEASE
6 October 2025

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Advises Crux Football On The Acquisition Of Montpellier HSC Féminines

KL
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Contributor

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.
Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Crux Football, a new platform created to develop women’s football on a large scale...
United Kingdom

Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Crux Football, a new platform created to develop women’s football on a large scale, on its acquisition of Montpellier HSC Féminines (MHSCF), one of France’s most respected and historical women’s football teams and academies.

Crux Football was founded by Bex Smith, former captain of the New Zealand national team, Olympian, UEFA Champions League winner and former FIFA executive, with the ambition of transforming European women’s football on a large scale through a multi-club ownership model and an incubation platform.

This strategic transaction aims to accelerate the growth of the women’s team and to support rapid development both on and off the pitch by strengthening the club’s commercial and operational foundations.

The cross-border Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team was led by partner Cyril Boulignat, of counsel Martin Dijos and associate William Mekki in Paris, and by co-head of Sports Dylan Doran Kennett, senior associate Tom Watkins and associate Joshua Avis in London.

The wider Paris team comprised partner Sophie Brezin and of counsel Elisabeth Debrégeas on employment matters; partner Anne Petitjean and associate Jean-Baptiste Verlhac on real estate matters; co-head of TMT Corporate Europe Emmanuel Ronco and associate Sixtine Gosselin on intellectual property matters; and co-head of TMT Corporate Europe Vincent Denoyelle on information technology matters.

Partner Cyril Boulignat commented: “We are particularly proud to have advised Crux Football on this strategic transaction, which carries significant importance for women’s football in France.”

Co-heads of Sports Dylan Doran Kennett added: "It's fantastic to see the increasing investment in Women's football, which continues to rightly receive heightened attention and popularity. We are pleased to work with Crux Football on this milestone deal, which exemplifies our cross-border capabilities and deep knowledge of the Sports industry."

Bex Smith, CEO and Founder of Crux Football, said: "HSF Kramer has been incredibly supportive, navigating a complex scenario to make it feel manageable and bite size – things you wouldn't normally associate with buying a football club! On top of that Dylan in the UK and Cyril in France and their respective teams have been such a positive pleasure to work with and understood our specific needs to get things over the line. We've genuinely enjoyed the process with the team and we wanted to thank them for all their amazing work!"

Contributor

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.
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