JD Sports reversed the trend of UK companies falling prey to American buyers by striking a $1.1bn (£900m) deal to acquire a US sportswear chain. The trainers group has swooped for Alabama-based chain Hibbetts, which stocks basketball shoes and other sneakers by brands like Nike and Adidas. The deal accelerates JD’s rapid push into the US market and represents the largest takeover ever for the retailer, which was founded in 1981 in Bury, Manchester. JD will pay $87.50 per share, a 20pc premium to Hibbet’s share price. JD shares rose 6pc to 124p but they remain bruised after a January profit warning took them from the 170p level. Regis Schultz, the French businessman who leads JD, said: “Hibbett’s footprint is highly complementary, adding a stronger presence in communities across the south-eastern US, where we currently have a limited presence. It will also provide a stronger platform for the rollout of the JD fascia in the US.” JD’s US swoop bucks the trend for American suitors flocking to the UK stock market for deals. A number of takeovers this year, including GXO Logistics’ takeover of Wincanton, International Paper’s purchase of DS Smith and Spirent’s acquisition by Keysight, have involved Americans buying...