Finn Harps have received a formal expression of interest from an investor in what could be a seismic moment in the history of the Donegal club.
A foreign businessman – who is understood to have visited Harps in recent months and has had extensive talks with the club’s Board – has put together a formal expression of interest and shareholders of the Finn Harps Co-Operative Society Ltd will be asked to vote on a proposal next month, Donegal Daily can reveal.
The investor is understood to have indicated a willingness to fund the club’s matched funding element of the new stadium development. If passed, this project would also add significant funds for playing squad resources and other operational funding – as well as the appointment of full-time coaching and support staff.
A special general meeting is planned for July 5.
Harps say that their voluntary efforts alone are now “not a sustainable foundation for a professional football club in the modern game.”
The club said: “We need investment simply to stand still, and we need significantly more investment to grasp the opportunity that is now in front of us.”
“Across the League of Ireland, virtually every club benefits from either wealthy private backers or significant outside investment. Finn Harps has operated without that support. Last year the club faced a significant one-off training compensation claim under FIFA regulations, which placed serious pressure on our cash flow. That experience brought into sharp focus both the vulnerability of the purely fan-funded model and the urgency of finding a more sustainable path forward for the club.”
Last year, Harps launched a new membership scheme, but it fell well short of its intended target with around 2,000 signing up. Harps chiefs had hoped for multiples of that number to pledge their support.
Harps said: “The level of funding raised, while meaningful, still fell considerably short of what would be required to professionalise the club’s operations and deliver the stadium and infrastructure development the club needs. It became clear that fan ownership alone, however strong, could not provide the scale of capital required.”
Late in 2025, Harps appointed Markham Capital and Sports Advisory Limited to lead a search for a suitable external investment partner.
That process generated interest from several parties, but meaningful progression required securing planning permission for the stadium, which Donegal County Council granted in December 2025.
Now, with that planning approved Harps can now bring a motion to their shareholders to consider.
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“The expression of interest received is a serious and detailed proposal,” Harps said. “The Board has worked carefully to ensure that any investment transaction is structured in a way that protects the long-term interests of the club, its shareholders, and the community it serves.”
Harps are at pains to note that no transaction has been concluded. However, Board members have unanimously approved bringing this proposal forward to shareholders.
Harps said: “We believe it is in the best interests of the club and its future. However, the transaction itself is subject to shareholder approval at the SGM, and the decision rests entirely with the membership. Shareholders will be notified formally in advance of the SGM date with full documentation.”
“The club has already begun the process of engaging with the FAI and other key stakeholders to progress the requirements for the acquisition and the impact on stadium development.”
“Throughout this process the board has worked to ensure that appropriate protections are built into the proposal for the club, its name, its identity, and its place in this community. Those protections will be set out in full for members in advance of the SGM, and the board will be available to answer questions at the meeting itself.”
Harps say that this is “the most significant moment in the recent history of Finn Harps. The board is proud to be bringing this proposal to members and is fully committed to ensuring that the club seizes the opportunity now in front of it. We look forward to presenting the full detail to members in the coming days.”
As part of the process, Harps will convert the legal structure from a co-operative society to a company limited by shares. The special general meeting must be attended by at least 25% of members with paid-up annual membership for 2026 to satisfy the quorum.
At that meeting, 75% of those in attendance at the meeting, either in person or online, must vote in favour of the special resolution.
The board is currently drafting the special resolution and will present the full offer in advance of the SGM.
Only fully paid-up members are entitled to participate in the SGM vote. The club currently has approximately 2,000 shareholders on its register, but approximately three quarters of those members have not paid their annual subscription fee.
Members of the 500 Club have their annual membership fee included in their existing payments while all other shareholders wishing to participate in this vote must ensure their annual subscription is paid in full by Wednesday, June 24.