Jai Agarwal buys majority stake in Portugal’s Guarda FC and is named CEO
On 11 August 2026, Indian entrepreneur Jai Agarwal acquired a majority stake in Guarda FC, a fourth-division club based in the city of Guarda, Portugal, and has been appointed CEO of Guarda Futebol Clube – Futebol, SAD.
Agarwal joins the club as a strategic partner tasked with supporting sporting and commercial growth and driving the team’s internationalization ambitions under the new ownership structure. Founded in the city of Guarda, the club has emphasised sustainable operations, youth development and ties to the local community. Guarda FC recently earned promotion to the Campeonato de Portugal and will begin its season this year with a squad that includes Portuguese and international players. The club has stated it intends to preserve its heritage and connection with the city while expanding its reach.
As chief executive, Agarwal will apply experience gained while pursuing a Master’s in Global Sports Marketing at LaLiga Business School and from studying European football structures and club operations. The club described his role as part of a wider plan to strengthen both sporting and commercial functions. The new ownership change was framed as a strategic step to support long-term growth rather than a short-term intervention.
Guarda FC’s playing roster for the coming season will feature domestic Portuguese players alongside international recruits "from many corners of the world," the club said, and the team will start its campaign this year following promotion. Club officials emphasised maintaining local identity even as they recruit abroad. The announcement noted the club’s existing foundation in youth development as a basis for future international links.
Commenting on the acquisition, Jai Agarwal, CEO, Guarda Futebol Clube – Futebol, SAD, said, “Owning a football club is something I’ve dreamt about for a long time. I wasn’t looking for the biggest club or the most glamorous opportunity – I was looking for a project where I could genuinely make a difference, and I found that in Guarda FC. The club has strong foundations with incredibly passionate people with an upward trajectory in Guarda. My ambition is to help it grow sustainably while also creating opportunities for talented young footballers from Asia to experience European football. If we can build a pathway that helps even a handful of players realise that dream, it will be a meaningful step towards strengthening the connection between Indian and European football.”
Gabriel Caldiera Alves, President, Guarda FC SAD said, “We are delighted to welcome Jai to the Guarda FC family. From our very first conversation, it was clear that he shares our ambition of building a club that develops young talent while remaining true to its identity and the community it represents. His international outlook, entrepreneurial mindset and long-term vision bring a fresh perspective to the club, and we are excited to work together as we begin this new chapter for Guarda FC.”
Over the next 12 months, the club has identified priorities including strengthening sporting and commercial operations, enhancing its digital presence, increasing fan engagement and laying the foundation for international partnerships and youth development initiatives to support long-term growth.
