Southampton have entered into a partnership with Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng, the Premier League club’s owner Katharina Liebherr announced on Monday.
“I am pleased to confirm that talks to bring in a new partner to our club have been concluded,” said Liebherr in an open letter to supporters on the club website.
“Following extensive and fruitful work, we are entering into a partnership with the Gao family and I am excited about what we will achieve together.”
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Southampton did not divulge the terms of the partnership, but British press reports said Gao had paid £200 million ($259.5 million, 220.3 million euros) to acquire an 80 percent stake in the club.
Liebherr inherited Southampton from her late father, Markus, in 2010.
Gao’s company, Landers Sports Development, said it had agreed a deal to buy into Southampton in January, but the new partnership is a personal investment.
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“I am honoured and humbled to become a partner of Southampton Football Club alongside Katharina Liebherr, who, together with her father, has been such a great steward of the club, its growth and success,” said Gao.
{{/usCountry}}“I am honoured and humbled to become a partner of Southampton Football Club alongside Katharina Liebherr, who, together with her father, has been such a great steward of the club, its growth and success,” said Gao.
{{/usCountry}}“Together, we have the passion and motivation to build on Southampton’s excellent progress in recent years as we look forward to an exciting next chapter for the club.”