Americans acquire Beitar Jerusalem

Beitar said Dan Adler and Adam Levin took over from Russian businessman Arcadi Gaydamak, who bought it in 2005. The new deal was signed in London following negotiations with the participation of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, the team added.

Beitar did not release terms of the deal, saying only that the pair would "take on the financial responsibility of the team in order to stabilize the budget and meet its obligations."

According to local media reports, the club has debts of about $400,000.

Formed in 1936, Beitar was one of Israel's most popular and most successful teams. It enjoyed its best period during the tenure of the deep-pocketed Gaydamak, highlighted by league and cup championships in 2008.

But when Gaydamak left the country while battling financial scandals in Israel and Europe, he cut funding to the team and it fell on hard times. It finished in 11th place this year, narrowly avoiding relegation.

The team has also drawn controversy for the behavior of its fans, who are notorious for making racist chants and taunting Arab players on opposing teams.

Levin is a managing director of private equity fund Criterion Capital Partners and chief executive of social media company Bebo. Adler is the founder of Media Eagles, a consulting firm in California.

The team said the two businessmen are longtime supporters of Israel.

"They made an investment in Beitar as a long-term investment, and they see it as a contribution to strengthen Jerusalem and Israel, rather than business investment," the club statement said.

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