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NEW FUNDS INTO CLUB

GFH Capital takes over Leeds United

Manama, November 21, 2012

GFH Capital, a Dubai-based private equity firm and subsidiary of Bahrain bank Gulf Finance House (GFH) has signed a deal to buy former English soccer champions Leeds United, the latest foreign group to invest in one of the clubs with hopes of promotion to the lucrative Premier League.

Leeds were one of the top names in English soccer in the 1970s and won the Premier League in 1992 but are now struggling in the second-tier Championship.

"The signing of this deal marks the start of a one-month transitional period in terms of full change in ownership and control of the club," the Yorkshire club said in a statement on its website.

"Following Football League approval, GFH Capital Limited will be 100 per cent shareholders," it added.

Leeds majority shareholder Ken Bates, the former Chelsea owner, will remain as chairman until the end of the season and will then become club president.

"Neil Warnock will continue as manager with more support than the present owners have been able to give and we look forward to a smooth transition," said Bates.

Leeds have not won in their last seven league games, sliding down the table and putting pressure on Warnock.

GFH Capital deputy CEO David Haigh, a Leeds fan, said the company had injected further funds into the club.

A group of Kuwaiti investors took over former European champions Nottingham Forest earlier this year, another club now playing in the Championship.-Reuters
 




Tags: Bahrain | Dubai | Private equity | Leeds |

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