Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is set to become the majority shareholder of West Ham United Football Club after agreeing to pay £150 million for the shares of current co-owner David Gold. The deal, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, will see Kretinsky become the majority shareholder of the London-based Premier League club.
Kretinsky, who is the founder and CEO of the Prague-based investment firm Energetický a Průmyslový Holding (EPH), is no stranger to the world of football. He is already the majority shareholder of Sparta Prague, one of the most successful clubs in the Czech Republic, and has also invested in the German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg.
Kretinsky’s investment in West Ham is seen as a major coup for the club, which has been struggling in recent years. The club has been in the Premier League since the 2012/13 season but has failed to make any real progress in the league, finishing in the bottom half of the table in each of the last three seasons.
Kretinsky’s investment is expected to bring much-needed financial stability to the club, as well as a renewed focus on developing young talent. The Czech billionaire has already made it clear that he wants to build a team that can compete for European football, and his investment in West Ham is seen as a major step in that direction.
Kretinsky’s investment in West Ham is also seen as a major boost for the club’s fans, who have been vocal in their support for the team in recent years. The Czech billionaire has already promised to invest in the club’s infrastructure and youth development, and his arrival is seen as a sign of the club’s ambition to become a major force in English football.
Kretinsky’s investment in West Ham is also seen as a major boost for the London economy, as the club is one of the city’s most popular and successful teams. The Czech billionaire’s investment is expected to bring much-needed jobs and investment to the local area, as well as a renewed focus on developing young talent.
Kretinsky’s investment in West Ham is a major coup for the club, and is seen as a sign of the club’s ambition to become a major force in English football. With the Czech billionaire’s financial backing, West Ham could soon be competing for European football and challenging for major honours.