Czech investment group buys 27% stake in EPL club West Ham

Posted November 10, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

West Ham's manager David Moyes celebrates after West Ham's Kurt Zouma scored during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London stadium in London, England, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Ian Walton) The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - The investment group of a Czech billionaire with a vast, Europe-wide portfolio of business interests has bought a 27% stake in West Ham, the Premier League club said Wednesday.

1890s holdings a.s is controlled by Daniel KÅ™etÃnskÃ½, the majority owner of Czech soccer team Sparta Prague who also owns energy conglomerate EPH and is a media mogul in his home country.

KÅ™etÃnskÃ½ and his colleague, Pavel HorskÃ½, became members of West Ham's board as a result of the acquisition into a club that is currently in third place in the Premier League after its 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

Co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan have controlled West Ham since 2010 and the club has made impressive strides in recent years under manager David Moyes in his second spell in charge.

'œHaving been to the London Stadium recently to watch David Moyes' team, I know it is an incredible time to become part of the West Ham United family,'ť said KÅ™etÃnskÃ½, who attended the Liverpool game. 'œI feel privileged to now have the opportunity to help everyone here build on the proud traditions of this great club.'ť

In the Czech Republic, KÅ™etÃnskÃ½ owns book publishing houses, a sport daily and magazines, and he co-owns French newspaper Le Monde. He has stakes in a number of other companies including Macy's, Foot Locker, Sainsbury's, Royal Mail and Metro.

West Ham has never been English champion but is a three-time FA Cup winner.

The club said the deal 'œwill initially enable the reduction of its long-term debt and the ability to continue to direct funds generated into other key areas of focus, continuing the positive progress made at West Ham United in recent years.'ť

Two of West Ham's best players, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, are Czech Republic internationals.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

West Ham's Kurt Zouma, right, celebrates after scoring his side's 3rd goal during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London stadium in London, England, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Ian Walton) The Associated Press

West Ham's Pablo Fornals celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.