An funding agency backed by Serbian businessman Dragan Solak has accomplished the acquisition of an 80 per cent majority stake in Southampton, the Premier League membership has confirmed.
Solak, who’s the lead investor of acquisition group Sport Republic, has purchased Jisheng Gao’s stake within the membership, with former majority proprietor Katharina Liebherr retaining 20 per cent.
London-based agency Sport Republic have been based by former Brentford co-director Rasmus Ankersen and Henrik Kraft, who confirmed that Southampton CEO Martin Semmens will proceed to run the day-to-day operations of the membership.
Chinese language businessman Goa paid round £200m to take over the Saints in August 2017 and had reportedly been seeking to promote for a number of years.
“During the last two years, along with the shareholders of our membership, we now have looked for the proper accomplice to take the membership ahead,” Semmens stated. “At this time we now have discovered the proper answer for our membership.
“Sport Republic are skilled traders, but additionally skilled inside the world of elite skilled sports activities. That mixture could be very onerous to seek out, and we’re thrilled to have reached an settlement that secures our quick and long-term future.”
In an announcement, Solak, who made his fortune in telecoms and owns the United Group, stated: “My companions and I’ve expertise in long-term investments within the sports activities and leisure trade and Sport Republic has been based to mix this experience and ship one thing distinctive to the market.
“Southampton has so lots of the qualities we now have been on the lookout for in a significant sports activities organisation. It has an incredible administration crew, glorious expertise improvement, gifted groups enjoying engaging soccer and a devoted fan base.
“We’re delighted to have the ability to full this acquisition as a primary step in direction of execution of our funding technique. Southampton will probably be a cornerstone of the organisation we plan to construct.”
Chairman of Sport Republic Kraft added: “We will probably be an lively and engaged proprietor, however we is not going to be beginning any revolutions. We have been drawn to Southampton as a result of it’s already a well-run membership that follows a clearly outlined technique.
“Southampton’s CEO Martin Semmens will proceed to run the day-to-day operations of the membership, and Sport Republic will probably be working intently with him and his crew to assist the membership develop.
“While Southampton is Sport Republic’s first acquisition, we anticipate extra investments to comply with over the approaching years. Our ambition is to construct a portfolio of high-influence stakes in soccer golf equipment and different sporting property the world over.
“On the identical time, we may also put money into early-stage sports activities know-how firms and use our portfolio to speed up the event of those firms. The acquisition of Southampton is a good first step and we’re very excited concerning the journey forward.”
Southampton are 14th within the Premier League underneath supervisor Ralph Hasenhuttl and have completed within the backside half of the desk in every of the final 4 seasons.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
