New Leeds joint-owner vows to be ‘fitting custodian’

LEEDS’ new j oint-owner Andrea Radrizzani has promised to be “a fitting custodian” of the Sky Bet Championship club after buying a 50% stake from fellow Italian Massimo Cellino.

Cellino, 60, whose near three-year reign at Elland Road has been dogged by controversy and instability, finally agreed a deal to sell half Leeds’ share capital to sports media tycoon Radrizzani’s company, Aser Group Holding.

Radrizzani, 42, who co-founded sports media rights company MP & Silva in 2004 and has strong connections in China, entered into talks with Cellino last summer.

Speculation over the club’s future had been mounting since Cellino assumed 100% control at Elland Road in September when he bought the minority stake still held by previous owner Gulf Finance House.

“I am making a long-term commitment to Leeds United and will work to bring stability t hrough ongoing investment,” Radrizzani said.

“I aim to bring sustainable growth. I won’t do anything that will put the club’s future at risk.

“Through working in the sports industry for many years, I have developed a great passion for the English game and I am honoured to have become joint owner of one of the country’s biggest clubs.”

Cellino’s company Eleonora Sport Ltd had bought 75% of Leeds’ shares from GFH in April 2014 for a reported sum of around £30 million.

“I am excited by the challenge ahead and I will work alongside Massimo and everybody at the club to make Leeds United as successful as possible,” Radrizzani said.

“I am fully aware of the great heritage and traditions of Leeds United and I will endeavour to be a fitting custodian on behalf of the many thousands of fans, who are the lifeblood of the club.”