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 and his family had paid £200 million (HK$2.03 billion) to acquire an 80 per cent stake in the club.
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. Photo: Reuters
Liebherr inherited Southampton from her late father, Markus, in 2010.
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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.
“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.
