Leeds United are under new ownership after the English Football League (EFL) approved the sale of the club to 49ers Enterprises.
49ers Enterprises who fully control Leeds have ended Andrea Radrizzani’s time at Elland Road, where he has been the majority shareholder since 2017.
The two sides publicly announced an agreement in June, allowing 49ers Enterprises to begin the process of officially approving the long-awaited buy-out.
Paraag Marathe, former vice chairman and board member of, will take over as chairman of the club.
Rudy Cline-Thomas will join the board as co-owner and vice-chair and Angus Kinnear will remain as CEO.
“This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already working,” said Marathe. “This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the club.
“We have appointed a highly respected first team manager with a track record of success, and we are confident that Leeds will field a competitive squad to fight for promotion next season. It is a privilege to carry this torch because I know we have a responsibility to ensure this club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the communities of Leeds and Yorkshire proud.
49ers Enterprises is the investment arm of the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers and the consortium that manages Leeds is made up of around 10 major investors, with many smaller parties also involved in a smaller capacity.
On the playing side, Daniel Farke was appointed as the club’s new manager earlier this month to replace Sam Allardyce, who is leaving at the end of the 2022-23 season.
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Leeds finished 19th in the Premier League and were relegated to the Championship, with Jesse March, Javi Gracia and Allardyce all missing a tune from the squad.
Radrizzani brought in 49ers Enterprises as a 10 percent shareholder in 2018 and the US group’s stake in Leeds increased to 37 percent and then to 44 percent by the end of 2021.
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Leeds United: What happened?
49ers Enterprises initially acquired an option to buy Leeds in full until January 2024 in a deal that valued the club at around £500million ($623m).
The group, however, was forced to negotiate a lower price and make a new deal with Radrizzani after relegation from the Premier League.
Its 100 per cent purchase would cost United around £170m.
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(Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)
