CERES-NEGROS FC has been sold to a group of private investors that is planning to change the name of the club to United City Football Club.
The new club announced the formal takeover of Ceres-Negros FC in a press release, with MMC Sportz Asia as the lead investing group. The change of ownership was sealed on Thursday.
Ceres and its chief Leo Ray Yanson have decided to sell the club following the economic crunch brought about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even with Ceres out, the new club will take over the commitments of the Busmen in the international club competition commitments that Ceres-Negros FC participated in.
“We would like to thank Mr. Yanson and his team for agreeing to transfer of the club into our name as this allows the players to continue participating in the Philippines Football League and hopefully also in the AFC Cup for the 2020 season,” said MMC Sportz Asia CEO Eric Gottschalk.

MMC Sportz Asia will now formally apply for the name change to the Philippine Football Federation.
“We will now immediately apply for permission with the PFF to rename the club to ‘United City Football Club’ and request the PFF to support our statement of intent to continue participating in the AFC Cup,” Gottschalk said.
The United City Football Club takes over the Ceres-Negros FC club that won three PFL crowns. It has also participated in the AFC Cup, making the Busmen one of the most successful Philippine football clubs in history.
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