LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The Texas-based Friedkin Group completed its 98.8% purchase of Everton on Thursday, adding the storied Premier League club to its wide-ranging portfolio of investments including Italian team Roma.
It ends a long period of huge uncertainty at Everton, a nine-time English champion which has been an ever-present in the top division since 1954 but is without a major trophy since 1995.
Fronted by Dan Friedkin and his son Ryan, the group has investments in the automotive industry, entertainment, hospitality and sports. The Friedkins made a fortune distributing Toyotas in Texas.
They take over from Evertonsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri.
The Premier League said the purchase was approved following the completion of its owners’ and directors’ test.
Everton is 16th in the 20-team league.
___
AP soccer: