Yeung completes Birmingham takeover

Carson Yeung’s takeover of Birmingham was completed on Tuesday when the Hong Kong businessman’s Grandtop Holdings announced the acquisition of 94 percent of the shares in the club.

By passing the 90 percent threshold, Grandtop are now in a position to oblige the remaining independent shareholders to sell their stake, clearing the way for the club to be de-listed from the Alternative Investment Market and run as a private business.

Yeung is expected in England next week for talks with Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, who has said he is looking forward to working with the new owners.

“We are looking forward to a new era,” McLeish said earlier this week. “There is a buzz about the place and the fans and they are anticipating another step forward.

“I am looking forward to working with the new owners. I am ambitious and they are ambitious and, of course, if there is money to spend, we would welcome it.

“It is exciting times and something I have great anticipation for.”

Yeung will have his work cut out however as he seeks to win over Birmingham supporters, many of whom blame his failed takeover attempt in the 2007-08 season, which triggered the departure of then-manager Steve Bruce, for the club’s relegation at the end of that campaign.