Freddy Gonzalez makes pitch for Finn Harps takeover

Harps were one of the few remaining member-owned LOI clubs but will change structure from a co-op ahead of voting on the benefactor. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ex-Philippines international Freddy Gonzalez has been confirmed as the new prospective Finn Harps owner who promises to professionalise the Donegal game.

Gonzalez has been in takeover talks with the First Division club for a number of months and his proposal has been publicised ahead of a ballot of members next week to ratify the new era.

His immediate intentions are to bolster the club’s academy structure and provide the finance to match the State support for a new stadium away from dilapidated Finn Park. He has also targeted promotion to the Premier Division, the top tier they last inhabited in 2022.

"It has been my lifelong dream since childhood to own and build a football club,” he explained in his message to fans.

“After my time as Director of National Teams for the Philippine Football Federation ended in June 2025, I made the decision to pursue that dream.

“I was considering opportunities in UK football but when the Finn Harps prospectus came across my desk, I found it extremely interesting.

“The timing is right for investment in Ireland. The numbers across the League of Ireland have been improving massively over the last few years, and there's real, genuine government support to help improve facilities.

“What stands out is the upward curve we're seeing, particularly around academy structure, which is exactly what we want to build and develop.

“From my visit to Donegal, I found a beautiful county with people who genuinely love their sport.

“There are huge opportunities available to grow the club, and what we want to bring to the table is the funding to ignite that. With the funding we provide, it will help develop the strategic plans that are already in place here.

“I have experience in building businesses, and the key is to build a sustainable business in football. It will be about development and scaling organically, investing in growing the club from the ground up. That's the approach we're taking.” 

He added: “Finn Harps has a genuine history of performing at the highest level in Ireland. The club has gone through hard times, but there is enormous untapped goodwill in Donegal waiting to be mobilised.

“Our approach is academy-focused with ambitious but well-developed plans. We want to get back to the Premier Division and compete there, but this is built on a foundation of developing young players and creating facilities the area deserves. The people of Donegal deserve a team to believe in again. We hope to deliver that."

As the Irish Examiner revealed on Monday, this is the first time for a League of Ireland club to receive investment from Asia.

Harps were one of the few remaining member-owned LOI clubs but will change structure from a co-op ahead of voting on the benefactor.

The 48-year-old ventured into business following his playing career, founding fashion distribution and brand management company Terry S.A. Inc in 2003.

Medifi, a cloud-based web app for online medical care, was also established in 2015.

He said about the business approach: "I have experience in building businesses and the key is to build a sustainable business in football.

“It will be about development and scaling organically, investing in growing the club from the ground up. That's the approach we're taking.”