Sheffield United chairperson Yusuf Giansiracusa has confirmed the club has received English Football League (EFL) approval from COH Sports over their proposed takeover of the team on Thursday.
Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who owns the Blades, agreed to sell the EFL club in October.
Spearheaded by financier Steven Rosen and health entrepreneur Helmy Eltoukhy, COH Sports are set to provide significant funds to manager Chris Wilder in the upcoming January transfer window.
Giansiracusa said: “Dear fans, we are pleased to hear that COH Sports has finally received EFL approval. We look forward to updating you over the coming days.”
Wilder was asked about the club takeover at a press conference on Friday. He said: “With all due respect, it was a couple of weeks ago Rob asked me the question and out of the blue, I answered it openly and honestly. And as far as I’m concerned, that would be the first and last time I would speak about it – in terms of the content of what my answer was. So, that’s where I’m at with it,”
With 38 points from 18 matches, table-toppers United are scheduled to take on West Brom on Sunday in their Championship away match. Last season, Sheffield was the first team to get relegated from the Premier League after their big defeat to Newcastle United.
Wilder explained that the Blades had a tough time and it was punishing 4-5 months for everybody at the club. Talking about his return at Bramall Lane, Wilder expressed his gratitude to Prince Abdullah and the board for showing faith in the manager.
Wilder also spoke about the ups and downs of the Blades over the last 12 months. Recalling the “harsh reality” of the Premier League, the Sheffield head coach asserted that his side was “battered, bruised and ridiculed” as a football club.
He said: “I went on record saying the best part of the club was the support from our fans and the academy, knowing there was an incredible amount of work that needed to be done in the summer. That’s my reason in terms of not really talking about takeovers and everything else.”
After the Blades sealed their promotion in the Premier League under Wilder, Prince Abdullah won a High Court battle to take control of the Sheffield-based football club in 2019.
