Fulham was sold to Jacksonville Jaguars billionaire owner Shad Khan on Friday, making the west London club the sixth in the Premier League to now be under American ownership.
Khan bought the London club from longtime owner Mohamed Al Fayed in a deal that strengthens his links with the British capital, having already arranged for his American football team to play matches here. The Jaguars have a deal to play one home game in London for four consecutive seasons, starting in October at Wembley Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers.
"Fulham is the perfect club at the perfect time for me," Khan said in a statement. "I want to be clear, I do not view myself so much as the owner of Fulham, but a custodian of the club on behalf of its fans. My priority is to ensure the club and Craven Cottage each have a viable and sustainable Premier League future that fans of present and future generations can be proud of."
Al Fayed, an Egyptian businessman, has owned Fulham since 1997 and is leaving the club debt-free as it prepares for a 13th Premier League season. Details of takeover were not disclosed but it was reported to be valued at more than $220 million.
The 84-year-old Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods department store, said he is retiring to spend time playing football with his grandchildren.
"Mr. Al Fayed rescued the club in its hour of need and has led it to a sustained place within the Premier League," Khan said.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are also owned by businessmen from the United States, where interest in the Premier League - the world's wealthiest football division - is soaring.
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