DANIEL KRETINSKY has taken control of West Ham after striking a deal with David Sullivan.
The Czech billionaire, 51, has seen off competition from Amanda Staveley to become the largest shareholder in the Championship club.
Kretinsky now owns a 46 per cent stake in the Hammers, while Sullivan’s stake has risen from 38.8 per cent to 40 per cent.
Shares were bought from Vanessa Gold, who retains a small stake, while Sullivan sold a small chunk of his holding to Kretinsky.
Sullivan resigned as a director in June following accusations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. Sullivan denies all charges.
Kretinsky, known as the Czech Sphinx, said: “I am deeply honoured to have the opportunity to become the largest shareholder of this great club. I appreciate the responsibility this brings and do not take it lightly.
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“I would like to thank all continuing shareholders for their constructive efforts to enable this outcome and provide the club with the certainty it needs at this critical time.
“I look forward to communicating further with our supporters once the transactions are complete.”
Kretinsky, who first bought into the club in 2021, agreed a deal to purchase shares from Gold, the daughter of the late David Gold, in June.
However, Gold subsequently agreed a secondary deal with Staveley, who led the 2021 Saudi takeover of Newcastle, to purchase her stake.
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The agreement with Staveley prompted a pre-emption process which allowed all existing shareholders to purchase the equivalent shares from the Gold family.
American shareholder Tripp Smith has increased his stake to 11 per cent while the remaining smaller shareholders own three per cent of the club.
Gold said: “My ambition through this process has been to ensure the club had the right leadership and to enable West Ham to achieve its potential and return to its rightful place in the Premier League.
“This agreement, which was first outlined back in June, provides that stability, allowing the club and its management to continue to focus on the football season.
“I want to thank Amanda Staveley and her partners for their engagement in this process and the passion they’ve shown for West Ham throughout.”
Staveley was a guest of Gold’s for West Ham’s midweek win over Wolves, while she was also a guest of the London Stadium bosses at a Take That concert held at the stadium during the summer.
West Ham said: “West Ham United notes the announcement that Daniel Kretinsky, via 1890s Holdings, has reached an agreement to acquire the requisite number of shares to become the single largest shareholder at the club.
“The club will not be making any further comment until all transactions are complete.”