| Morning all, Craig McGlashan here with the Europe Wire from the London newsroom. Opening up today we’ve got Bruin Capital merging several soccer representation companies into a new entity. We look at why investing in player agencies might be a smart move given recent court rulings about the game’s transfer system. Next, we’ve got Thoma Bravo completing its acquisition of an IT management services provider. We then look at Brookfield Asset Management opening a new office in Paris. Turning back to corporate comms, KKR has completed its acquisition of FGS Global. Meanwhile, KKR has also appointed an executive advisor to target deals in the industrials sector and in UK businesses. Player power Private equity firms have been racing to get exposure to sports directly and indirectly, and now one GP has made a play in an area that could become even more important to the business of soccer. Bruin Capital has launched an international soccer representation company by merging a series of now-completed acquisitions. Read more about the deal in the premium version of the Wire. Tapping into player representation could be a savvy move. Find out why a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice on the legality of the transfer market could alter the soccer investment thesis from putting money into clubs to putting money into players in this deep dive. DACH push Thoma Bravo has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in USU Product Business, an IT management services provider. Read more in the premium version of the Wire. The tech-focused investment firm made its first investment in Germany with the take-private of corporate communications and compliance provider, EQS, a deal announced in November 2023. That followed a strategic push in Europe with the opening of a London office a year earlier. Paris play Speaking of European pushes, Brookfield Asset Management has opened a new office in Paris to strengthen its presence in the country. Brookfield’s plan to open an office in Paris was among the topics we discussed with Tristan Tully, head of the firm’s PE business in Europe, in a Dealmakers to Watch article earlier this year. The story also touched on why Brookfield is betting big on Europe. Comms closed Turning back to corporate comms, KKR has completed its acquisition of FGS Global, a global communications and public affairs consultancy, from WPP. KKR has also appointed an executive advisor to pursue new acquisition opportunities in the industrials sector and more broadly across leading UK businesses. Find out more in the premium version of the Wire. OK that’s all from me today. Rafael Canton will bring you the US Wire later today and I’ll be back in the Europe chair again tomorrow. Cheers, Craig Read the full Wire commentary on PE Hub ... | 