MIKE ASHLEY is no longer a shareholder at Rangers.
The Sports Direct billionaire has sold his stake in the Ibrox club to supporter’s group Club 1872 and Julian Woldhart, the CEO of a Hong Kong based private equity firm.
After the purchase, Club 1872 has become the second largest shareholder in Rangers International Football Club PLC, with 10.71%.
They said in a statement: “We are delighted that our members’ support for Club 1872 has brought us to a point where we can acquire these shares and complete the process of restoring control of RIFC to those who view the footballing success of Rangers FC as being just as important as RIFC’s careful stewardship financially.
“Club 1872 allows Rangers supporters to help safeguard the future of our Club. Taking our shareholding above 10% puts us well on our way to that goal.
“Our next ambition is to reach out to those Rangers supporters who are not already members of Club 1872 and encourage them to join. Together we can achieve great things for our Club.”
In a statement on the Rangers website, Dave King said: “This is the partnership I want to see lead Rangers forward.
“Rangers run by those who care for it most, not what has been dismissively described by some as ‘fans with calculators’, but a mature and structured organisation which can galvanise and represent our supporters and use their skills and talents to drive our Club back to the top of Scottish and European Football”.
The remainder of the shares held by MASH Holdings Limited were bought by Julian Wolhardt, who is the CEO of Dehong Capital Partners.
He said: “I am delighted to become an RIFC shareholder. I have a long held love for Scotland and football and I am keen to see Rangers FC unlock its considerable commercial potential.
“With the successful restructuring of the retail operations, RIFC is now on a firm financial footing and I look forward to being a part of its exciting future.”
The news follows King’s announcement earlier this week that a new deal had been negotiated with Ashley’s Sports Direct for Rangers retail.
The Ibrox megastore was emptied of kits as fans went out in their droves to pick-up club merchandise, having boycotted for around two years due to the previous deal negotiated by Charles Green.
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