Radrizzani to sell Leeds to 49ers Enterprises

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has agreed a deal to sell his stake in the relegated club to co-owners 49ers Enterprises.

The investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers purchased a 15% stake in Leeds in 2018 and increased that to 44% in 2021.

Italian Radrizzani bought Leeds outright for £45m in 2017, but his stake has dropped to 56% since then.

Managerless Leeds were relegated from the Premier League on the final day and are preparing for the Championship.

A club statement read: “Leeds United can confirm an agreement has been reached between Aser Ventures and 49ers Enterprises for the purchase of the club.

“Both parties continue to work through the details, and further updates will be provided soon. All of our focus remains on a quick return to the Premier League.”

After their relegation was confirmed, Leeds United Supporters Club released a statement saying Radrizzani was “no longer an appropriate person to own Leeds United”.

“His behaviour is appalling and he risks never being welcome at our club again,” it added.”The sooner he goes the better and we look forward to the 49ers Enterprises offer being accepted. The only way he can begin to salvage his reputation is through an immediate sale of the club and the stadium.”

Radrizzani was popular with Leeds fans initially, with Marcelo Bielsa taking them back into the Premier League. But the relationship soured after he sacked the Argentine, and he did not attend their final game, a defeat by Tottenham which sealed their relegation, where fans chanted for him to leave.

The Press Association says a valuation of about £170m has been agreed. The previous agreement, which depended on their top-flight survival, was worth about £400m – but negotiations restarted following their drop to the second tier.

Radrizzani’s Aser Holding Company recently bought a stake in Italian side Sampdoria.