Shares in Goals Soccer Centres jumped more than 15% after the five-a-side football centres operator confirmed that it has received a bid approach from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
Goals’ shares rose 16p to 125p, valuing the group at £61 million.
Investors have become concerned over the past six months that Goals was suffering as corporate clients reduced their use of its pitches to save money.
But recently it announced it had found a new way of building centres costing far less than they had historically.
The group runs 43 centres in the UK and one in Los Angeles.
Goals Soccer Centres told the stock market: “The company confirms that it has received a preliminary approach from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company.
“There can be no certainty that an offer will be made for Goals, nor as to the terms on which an offer may be made.”
