Indonesian billionaire brothers behind Como's rapid rise in Italian football

This summer, Como spent $63 million on five new players. Notably, they paid $26.5 million for Jesus Rodriguez from Betis, $21 million for Martin Baturina from Dinamo Zagreb and $15.5 million for Alex Valle, Ignace Van der Brempt and Fellipe Jack, three players who had recently completed their loan spells at the club.

Como's spending spree makes them the third-highest spender in Serie A this summer, following Juventus with $87 million and Atalanta with $73 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Former football star Cesc Fabregas, a World Cup and Euro winner, is currently the manager of Como 1907. Photo by Reuters

In January, Como were the biggest spender with $58 million in the winter transfer market. Across two transfer windows, just six months apart, they have spent a total of $121 million, an amount for the top clubs.

But Como's spending may not end here. They are reportedly targeting Alvaro Morata, Jayden Addai and a left-footed center-back.

This level of investment from a modest club that have never been a powerhouse in Italian football raised a question: Why such generosity? The answer lies in Como's ownership.

The club are ran by Djarum, an Indonesian conglomerate with diverse interests in banking, real estate, technology and tobacco. Djarum is currently led by Michael Bambang Hartono and Robert Budi Hartono, two billionaire brothers ranked 71st and 76th on the list of the world's richest people, with fortunes of $26.5 billion and $25.5 billion, according to Forbes.

The Hartono brothers bought Como in 2019 for only $220,000 when the club was still in Serie D. Since then, they have turned the club into one of the most ambitious projects in European football. Como were promoted to Serie C in 2020, Serie B in 2021 and Serie A in 2024. Last season, Como finished 10th in Serie A, ahead of familiar clubs like Torino, Genoa, Verona and Cagliari.

Indonesian billionaire brothers Robert Budi Hartono (L) and Michael Bambang Hartono. Photo taken from X

The Hartonos' approach is unique as each season, they spend tens of millions of dollars on the club without relying on loans. They are also investing in the renovation of Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium and the construction of a new sports center.

The Hartono brothers are not the only big names behind Como's rise. Football legends also play key roles in the club's operations. Cesc Fabregas, a former World Cup and two-time Euro winner with Spain, has been managing Como since 2023. Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry and ex-Chelsea captain Dennis Wise also hold important positions at the club, although Wise left in 2024, The Sun reported.

While Como has never won a trophy at the top-tier level of Italian football, with the financial power of the Hartono brothers and Fabregas at the hot seat, that may change in the near future.