LONDON: Cagliari owner Massimo Cellino has secured his takeover of Leeds in the English second tier [Championship].

His lawyers indicated completion of the deal agreed in February under which Cellino would buy a 75pc stake in the club through his company Eleonora Sports.

The deal was rejected initially by the Football League in March over concerns about Cellino’s recent conviction in Italy. However the 57-year-old Italian won his appeal against that ruling on Saturday.

His lawyers Mishcon De Reya tweeted: “Massimo has been appointed a director of LUFC Holdings & ESL has completed its purchase of 75% of the shares.”

The Football League has yet to confirm that the deal has officially been completed.

Leeds’ latest annual accounts, published this week, recorded a £9.5m loss. Turnover was down by more than 3m with attendances dropping by almost eight per cent.

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