Allen & Overy (A&O) has advised on the €1.025bn (£955m) financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in Italian natural gas distributor Enel Rete Gas (ERG).

The magic circle firm drafted in a team from its City headquarters to advise a consortium of 11 banks financing the deal, led by longstanding clients JP Morgan and Banca IMI.

London projects partner Conrad Andersen took the lead for A&O, with leveraged finance chief Tim Polglase assisting.

Italian firm Chiomenti advised on the banks on the financing alongside A&O, with Milan banking partner Carola Antonini at the helm.

The deal saw ERG sold by parent company Enel Distribuzione – a subsidiary of utility group Enel – to a consortium comprising Axa Private Equity and Italian infrastructure investment fund F2i.

Enel Distribuzione turned to d'Urso Gatti & Associati on the sale with counsel Luca Falomo taking the lead.

Meanwhile, the acquiring consortium was advised by Milan finance partner Matteo Bragantini at Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners.

The deal, which A&O believes to be the largest European leveraged buyout of 2009, follows A&O's role earlier this year on the £533m leveraged buyout of Wood Mackenzie. That transaction saw A&O advising the acquirer, Charterhouse, with Ashurst and Macfarlanes also winning roles.

Commenting on the leveraged finance market, Polglase said: "We are seeing a gradual return of confidence. We will start seeing people underwriting risk, but I do not foresee the market going back to 2007 levels. It will take a while to shake out the bulk of work on existing debt, but it will keep people busy."

Allen & Overy on the Legal Week Wiki

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