Todd Boehly has been pictured in the stands for Chelsea’s clash with Wolves – their first game since his consortium signed an agreement for the £4.25bn takeover of the club.
Chelsea confirmed on their official website at 1.37am on Saturday morning that the American’s consortium can purchase the club, following the UK Government’s approval.
Boehly’s consortium had previously been named as the preferred bidder to take over at Stamford Bridge by the Raine group, the American bank who are overseeing the sale.
He has partnered with fellow LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter, Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss as well as investment firm Clearlake Capital.
Boehly saw off competition from consortiums fronted by Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton and even a late £4.25bn bid from Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The announcement is good news to concerned Chelsea fans after their club was thrown into turmoil by the Government sanctions on former owner Roman Abramovich.
Todd Boehly has been pictured in attendance for Chelsea’s league fixture with Wolves
Boehly got up to applaud what he thought was Chelsea’s opener through Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The LA Dodgers owner was introduced to VAR which checked the goal for offside
His joy didn’t last for too long as the goal was disallowed due to Loftus-Cheek being offside
He did have something to smile about in the second-half when Romelu Lukaku got a brace
Boehly looked very happy as he celebrated what he thought was a Chelsea opener through Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
After getting off his seat to applaud and whistle after the ball hit the net, he was quickly introduced to VAR as the goal was disallowed for offside.
He did eventually have something to smile as Romelu Lukaku bagged a first-half brace for the Blues – his first goals in the Premier League since December.
Again, Chelsea’s attendance against Wolves has been limited, with fans unable to buy tickets with only season ticket holders able to attend.
The deal, expected to be completed in May following a sign-off by the Government and the Premier League, ends a period of significant uncertainty for the club and their fans.
It has been a rare sight for the owner of Chelsea to be at Stamford Bridge in recent years.
Boehly whistles from the stands after he thought Chelsea had gone ahead against Wolves
Boehly raises his hand to his head after thinking Chelsea had opened the scoring
LA Dodgers owner Boehly is seen speaking to Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck
Abramovich, who sold his shares after being sanctioned over his links to Vladimir Putin, attended his first game as owner for more than three years when Chelsea drew 1-1 with Manchester United in November.
The Russian had not been at Stamford Bridge since 2018 prior to the game against United due to complications with his visa.
Fears grew earlier this week that Abramovich could renege on his promise to write off a £1.6bn loan and leave the Blues in jeopardy.
Boehly’s consortium saw off the likes of Stephen Pagliuca, Sir Martin Broughton and Britian’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe who had launched a late bid in an attempt to takeover Chelsea
Boehly, centre, was pictured at Stamford Bridge on Friday night before the announcement
Doing so would have thrown a major spanner in the works for any potential takeover, as UK ministers approving the sale wanted none of the proceeds from it to go to the Russian.
Chelsea’s statement in the early hours of Saturday morning read: ‘Chelsea Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club.
‘Of the total investment being made, £2.5bn will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate 100 per cent to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. UK Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the frozen UK bank account.
Boehly’s consortium had been named as the preferred bidder to take over by the Raine Group
The news, which came in the early hours of Saturday, will be welcome relief to Chelsea fans
‘In addition, the proposed new owners will commit £1.75bn in further investment for the benefit of the Club. This includes investments in Stamford Bridge, the Academy, the Women’s Team and Kingsmeadow and continued funding for the Chelsea Foundation.
‘The sale is expected to complete in late May subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. More details will be provided at that time.’
Boehly was pictured at Stamford Bridge for the first time last night.
The picture, taken by Darren Lavery, was posted on Twitter late on Friday night – just hours before Chelsea announced Boehly’s group had signed a purchase agreement to take over.
Former chancellor George Osborne, brought in by the consortium to help them with the takeover, was also spotted in the photo.
Lavery claimed in a Tweet that American billionaire Boehly was ‘more than happy to stand and chat away with us’, adding that the businessman was a ‘top, top guy’.
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