Aston Villa had to pay ex-owner Randy Lerner a massive 10 million bonus in 2022.
The Premier League club had no option but to make the payoff, as it was contractually agreed by ex-chairman Tony Xia.
Having bought the club in 2016 from Lerner, Xia had promised him the sum if the Midlands club avoided relegation for three seasons after promotion in 2019.
Per The Mail, Lerner had even received a 30 million payout when the club was promoted that year.
Villa released this statement: This payment was due as per the agreement entered into when Recon Group Ltd bought the Club in 2016 and provided that if Recon Group and it's Guarantor Jian Tong Xia failed to pay the sum, it would fall to the Club to settle liability."
