BRUSSELS: Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan has acquired Belgian Pro League club KV Kortrijk.

The deal, worth a reported €5m, sees Tan add to his portfolio of soccer clubs. He is already the owner of English second division [Championship] club Cardiff City, Bosnia’s FK Sarajevo and he holds a minority stake in Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

As a result of the acquisition, Ken Choo, Cardiff City’s chief executive, will serve as a director for Kortrijk.

Kortrijk, previously owned by the De Gryse family and based in West Flanders, finished fifth in this season’s Pro League and are currently involved in the league play-offs. The Pro League is the top professional soccer division in Belgium.

Mr Choo said in a statement: “Both the De Gryse family and Tan Sri Vincent Tan prioritise the local anchorage of the club and want to secure an ambitious Pro League side in Kortrijk for the long term.

“A number of clear arrangements have been made to ensure that the club maintains its identity, while the daily management of the club will not change.

“All existing agreements shall be honoured. Moreover, Tan Sri Vincent Tan is very happy with the incumbent management and the way the club is presently run.

“Tan Sri Vincent Tan sees clear potential for further growth and shall visit the club shortly to give further explanations of his vision.”

In 2014, Tan became one of a number of investors in LAFC, a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise expected to debut in 2017.