Afrigather Pete Winkelman has offered MK Dons and the Stadium MK Group to a Kuwait-based consortium led by Fahad Al Ghanim, bringing an finish to his 20-year affiliation with the membership.
The deal leaves the membership and stadium group debt-free and has been ratified by all events following clearance from the EFL.
MK Dons start their League Two marketing campaign towards Bradford Metropolis on the Stadium MK on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities+, and Winkelman can be given the prospect to say farewell to the membership.
He purchased out Wimbledon as a part of a consortium in 2004, occurring to determine MK Dons as a brand new entity, and has remained as membership chair since.
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In a message to the followers, Winkelman mentioned: “MK Dons are 20 years outdated this yr and all through that point we have been on a rollercoaster of highs and lows that we have now all come by means of collectively.
“What has change into clear to me in recent times is that whereas I’m so pleased with Stadium MK and the sustainable enterprise we have created, it may possibly solely assist the event of the soccer membership to a sure stage, with out separate and important funding.
“Over the past yr, I’ve been in a position to spend time with Fahad and he has satisfied me that he brings the fervour, dedication and ambition to see the membership take part on the highest stage and has the sources to assist it achieve this. It’s, subsequently, time for me to step apart and put the custodianship of the membership and the broader enterprise into new arms.
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Liam Kelly felt becoming a member of MK Dons was a chance he couldn’t flip down and says it’s a mission he’s excited to be part of
“There are such a lot of individuals to thank who’ve shared this journey, supporters, managers, gamers, and naturally all our unbelievable workers. I am additionally massively grateful to all our sensible membership companions and sponsors for his or her unwavering assist through the years.”
However MK Dons will now be taken over by a brand new group, led by businessman Al Ghanim, who watched his first recreation at Stadium MK over a yr in the past.
He has beforehand labored throughout a lot of sectors, together with banking, funding, automotive and actual property and his household are the homeowners of Kuwait SC, probably the most profitable soccer golf equipment within the Center East.
In his personal assertion, Al Ghanim added: “As chairman of the group and on behalf of deputy chairman Hamad Almarzouq, it’s with immense pleasure that I can now introduce myself as the brand new chairman of Milton Keynes Dons Soccer Membership and the broader Stadium MK group following my acquisition of the enterprise from Pete Winkelman.
“Let me be the primary to reassure you that my ambition is to construct on the incredible foundations already right here in Milton
Keynes, and to take MK Dons to the subsequent stage, each on the pitch and off it.
“You’ll I am positive have many questions on what is going to change at MK Dons, and the very first thing to let you know is that nothing will change within the quick time period, nobody can be made redundant, and the construction of the enterprise will essentially stay the identical. Our first focus can be on strengthening the first-team squad to present the membership the most effective probability of promotion this season.
“I totally imagine the staff are in an excellent place, I am not seeking to disrupt the incredible work completed over the summer time,
if something, I need to add to it.
“Over the approaching months, there will be an opportunity to evaluate the membership and its capabilities, earlier than making additions the place
needed to assist the hard-working and devoted workers already in place at Stadium MK.
“To the MK Dons supporters, who I sit up for assembly very quickly, I do know this new period will signify change, however it may possibly solely achieve success along with your assist, so I ask all of you to face behind the membership as we enter an thrilling new season this weekend!”
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