A group led by a Serbian billionaire has bought a £200million controlling stake in Southampton.
Sport Republic have bought Gao Jisheng's 80 per cent majority shareholding and have promised to make Southampton a 'cornerstone' of the group of clubs they plan to buy.
They aim to follow their opening purchase by creating a network similar to those of the City Group, who own Manchester City, and the Red Bull group, whose clubs include Germany's RB Leipzig and Austria's Red Bull Salzburg.
Dragan Solak, founder of telecoms and media firm United Group, who has a personal fortune of more than £1bn, will be Sport Republic's lead investor.
Rasmus Ankersen, former FC Midtjylland chairman and Brentford director of football, will be the group's CEO. He left those jobs last month after masterminding historic rises at both clubs.
Another Dane, London-based investor Henrik Kraft, is Sport Republic's chairman and he and Ankersen are set for roles on the Southampton board.
Solak, a keen golfer described as a serial entrepreneur, said: "Southampton will be a cornerstone of the organisation we plan to build."
Kraft added: "We will be an active and engaged owner. Our ambition is to build a portfolio of high-influence stakes in football clubs and other sporting assets across the world. Southampton is a great first step."
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