Five-year mystery is solved as the secret owner of A-League side Adelaide United finally reveals his identity – and his future plans for the club

  • Owner of Adelaide United has been unveiled
  • Cor Adriaanse confirmed club isn’t for sale
  • He also denied talk club is in financial dire straits

By Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia

The question Adelaide United fans were desperate to know has finally been answered – the owner of their beloved club is ‘mystery man’ Cor Adriaanse.

Dutch businessman Adriaanse bought the team in 2018 and has kept an extremely low profile ever since.

An entrepreneur with stakes in a number of retail-linked businesses, Adriaanse  wanted to assure Reds fans the club isn’t for sale.

Adriaanse also confirmed chairman Piet van der Pol has moved on, with sport executive Ned Morris stepping in as his replacement.

The other minority shareholders at Adelaide United remain Rob Van Eck and Yu Lidong.

The question many Adelaide United fans wanted to know has finally been answered - their owner is Cor Adriaanse (pictured)

The question many Adelaide United fans wanted to know has finally been answered – their owner is Cor Adriaanse (pictured)

Dutch businessman Cor Adriaanse (pictured left) bought the club in 2018, and has chosen to keep an extremely low profile ever since

Dutch businessman Cor Adriaanse (pictured left) bought the club in 2018, and has chosen to keep an extremely low profile ever since

Dutch businessman Cor Adriaanse (pictured left) bought the club in 2018, and has chosen to keep an extremely low profile ever since

On the field, Carl Veart's squad are the form team of the A-League, having won their last four matches (pictured, star midfielder Craig Goodwin)

On the field, Carl Veart's squad are the form team of the A-League, having won their last four matches (pictured, star midfielder Craig Goodwin)

On the field, Carl Veart’s squad are the form team of the A-League, having won their last four matches (pictured, star midfielder Craig Goodwin)

Additionally, rumours of the club being sold to property developer Ross Pelligra have been hosed down by Adriaanse.

‘Our focus is one club, that is Adelaide United going forward,’ he told the Advertiser amid talk the shareholders will soon sell the other football team they are invested in – Chinese club Qingdao Red Lions.

‘Just trust that we are football fans we are proud being owners of this club. We are in this for the long run.’

Adriaanse also denied speculation the club is in financial dire straits, declaring they are ‘sound’ and that he is ‘not afraid to invest’.

Establishing a club academy is also a mooted long-term goal.

On the field, Carl Veart’s squad are the form team of the A-League, having won their last four matches.

Adelaide United sit in second spot on the ladder behind Melbourne City – and on Good Friday host Sydney FC at Hindmarsh Stadium in a blockbuster clash.

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