MILAN (AP) — Maging sa world-class football, pasok na rin ang China.

Pormal na naibenta ni dating Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berluscon ang AC Milan – pinakamatagumpay na football club sa Italy – sa Chinese-led consortium.

Sa opisyal na press statement ng Fininvest, ang kumpaya ni Berluscon na may hawak ng AC Milan nitong Huwesbes (Biyernes sa Manila), na nailipat na ang pagmamay-ari ng koponan sa Rossoneri Sport Luxembourg, dating Sino-Europe Sports.

Pinamumunuan ang grupo ni Chinese businessman Yonghong Li.

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“I thank Berlusconi and Fininvest for their trust and the fans for their patience. From today we will build the future,” pahayag ni Li.

Umabot sa 740 million euros (US$800 million) ang halaga ng AC Milan at ayon kay Li kakailanganin nilang gumasta ng 350 million euros (US$372 million) para maisaayos ang koponan sa susunod na tatlong taon.

“The buyers have confirmed their commitment to fulfill important recapitalization investments to the balance sheet and strengthen AC Milan’s finances and assets,” pahayag ng Fininvest.

Nakatakdang ganapin ang general shareholders’ meeting sa Biyernes kung saan inaasahang ipahahayag ang mga bagong opisyal na magpapatakbo ng koponan.

Nakatakda ang unang laro ng AC Milan sa pangangasiwa ng bagong grupo sa Sabado laban sa Inter Milan, pinangangasiwaan din ng isang Chinese company.

“This is an epochal day for Milan,” samba tni AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella. “I would like to thank Berlusconi and (vice president Adriano) Galliani for having given me the opportunity to coach a club as glorious as the Rossoneri.

“In the next few days I will meet the new management and together we will find the solutions to make Milan as successful as it was in the past.”