By Samindra Kunti
May 13 – Malaysian billionaire businessman and Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has bought Belgian Pro League club KV Kortrijk for a reported €5 million.
Tan is the chairman and chief executive of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, a business consortium including golfing, property, resorts and gambling assets. Forbes estimates Tan is worth €1.06 billion.
The Malaysian took his first tentative steps in football by acquiring a 30% stake in Cardiff City in 2010. Under Tan City won promotion to the Premier League, but the 63-year-old’s tenure in Wales has always been controversial and the club were relegated last season. He rebranded the club’s shirts from blue to red and then appointed Kazakh Alisher Apsalyamovby as the club’s head of recruitment. Tan also owns FK Sarajevo in Bosnia and has a minority stake in Los Angeles FC.
He has now extended his portfolio of clubs by acquiring KV Kortrijk. The Belgian top-flight club announced on its website that a deal had been done with Tan to take over the club for €5 million. The De Gryse family agreed to sell its shares in the club to Tan.
“The De Gryse family and Vincent Tan have both prioritised the continuation and long-term preservation of an ambitious first division side in Kortrijk,” a statement said. “A number of clear arrangements have been made to ensure the club will maintain its individuality.”
The statement emphasised that Tan will not make any significant changes to the structure of the club nor its management. Cardiff City chief executive Ken Choo will likely serve as a director.
“Both the De Gryse family and Tan Sri Vincent Tan prioritise the local anchorage of the club and want to secure an ambitious Pro League side in Kortrijk for the long term,” Ken Choo said in a statement.
“All existing agreements shall be honoured,” continued Ken Choo’s statement.
“Moreover, Tan Sri Vincent Tan is very happy with the incumbent management and the way the club is presently run. Tan Sri Vincent Tan sees clear potential for further growth and shall visit the club shortly to give further explanations of his vision.”
KV Kortrijk qualified for the season-ending Pro League’s play-offs, but are bottom of the six club table. At least KV Kortrijk’s home colors are red.
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