CHINESE business mogul Gao Jisheng has completed a multi-million takeover of Southampton Football Club.
Talks have been ongoing in the past year regarding a deal with Gao's Lander companies, but the Daily Echo understands the investment is being made by him personally rather than his businesses.
The Daily Echo understands that Gao has purchased 80 per cent of the club for around £210m and enters in to a partnership with Katharina Liebherr, who will still hold a 20 per cent stake in the club.
In a letter to the fans of Saints from, Liebherr , who inherited the club from her father Markus, said: "I am pleased to confirm that talks to bring in a new partner to our club have been concluded.
"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.
"Today is the start of a new and exciting chapter for our club.
"Mr Jisheng Gao and his daughter, Mrs Nelly Gao, with whom I have built a close relationship, share our values and ambitions. As a team, we will strive to build upon the strong foundation that is in place towards sustainable long-term success.
"Mr Gao, Nelly and I have full trust in Ralph Krueger and his management team. We wholeheartedly support their plans to follow the Southampton Way in the years ahead.
"But for now it is business as usual at Southampton Football Club and we must allow everyone at the club to focus on the first few weeks of the new season.
"I would like to thank the passionate supporters of the club for their ongoing loyalty and faith, and I look forward to seeing you soon at St Mary's.
"We March On."
Mr Jisheng Gao said: "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.
"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."
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