Fabian Schar of Newcastle United and Jordan Pickford of Everton square up at full time
Newcastle United face even more competition in their bid to become "number 1" in the Premier League after Everton's takeover was finally pushed through by the Premier League.
The Friedkin Group’s 98.8 per cent acquisition of Everton has been ratified by top-flight chiefs with the American billionaires now set to join the party in the Premier League. Everton could now join Newcastle in their pursuit of the top six and domestic honours as their incoming CEO spoke of an "exciting future".
The Premier League confirmed today: "The Premier League Board has approved The Friedkin Group’s 98.8 per cent acquisition of Everton Football Club, following the completion of the League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
"Having been agreed by the Board, the takeover has now been ratified by an Independent Oversight Panel. The club’s new owners and directors have also signed the Premier League’s Owners’ Charter."
Marc Watts, incoming Executive Chairman of Everton can't wait to get started. He said: "Today marks a momentous and proud occasion for The Friedkin Group as we become custodians of this iconic football club. We are committed to leading Everton into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch. Providing immediate financial stability to the Club has been a key priority, and we are delighted to have achieved this. While restoring Everton to its rightful place in the Premier League table will take time, today is the first step in that journey.”
Farhad Moshiri, the outgoing majority shareholder, stated: “I truly believe that the transaction with The Friedkin Group is the best outcome for the Club and its future success.
"There has been a huge team effort in getting to this stage and I would like to personally thank my Board colleagues John Spellman and Colin Chong for their huge commitment to the Club.
"Despite a challenging geopolitical backdrop, a significant amount has been achieved over the last couple of years including the delivery of a new sporting department, the stabilisation of our finances and the delivery of our iconic new stadium. I now hand over to new owners confident in the outlook for the Club and that our incredible fans will see the success on the pitch that they so thoroughly deserve.”
In clashes in recent years, Fabian Schar and Jordan Pickford have gone toe to toe while Anthony Gordon as an Everton player was quickly shut down by his future team-mates as he tried to pick on Kieran Trippier.
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