LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - Blackstone has said

it has closed a 9.8 billion euro ($10.8 billion) European

property fund, as it bets on signs of recovery for the sector

despite deepening market turmoil.

The fundraise for the Europe Real Estate Partners VII fund

is the largest ever pool of external capital amassed for

European property, Blackstone said.

"The real estate recovery is coming into view," said James

Seppala, head of European Real Estate at Blackstone, with the

firm adding in a statement that it saw an "opportunity-rich"

environment.

Real estate markets had shown signs of recovery in recent

months, although industry participants are wary of the impact

U.S. President Donald Trump's latest barrage of tariffs could

have on activity.

Blackstone's opportunistic strategies - which generally

target higher risk properties that need turning around, with

potential for higher returns - have raised nearly $47 billion of

capital globally, the company said.

($1 = 0.9073 euros)