Daniel Kretinsky has completed his purchase of a 27% stake in West Ham United. The billionaire Czech businessman will become part of West Ham’s board alongside his business partner Pavel Horsky following the agreement.
The pair join co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, and vice-chairman Karren Brady.
“We are always looking to continue to progress and Daniel’s involvement brings investment which strengthens the club’s position and, in turn, will assist in the development of the club’s key area of focus,” Brady said.
Kretinsky is also the owner of Sparta Prague in his native country. It’s believed Kretinsky will try to become West Ham’s majority stakeholder in the future.
West Ham currently sits third in the Premier League, having beaten Liverpool 3-2 at the London Stadium on Sunday in a thrilling clash.
“Having been to the London Stadium recently to watch David Moyes’ team, I know it is an incredible time to become part of the West Ham United family. I feel privileged to now have the opportunity to help everyone here build on the proud traditions of this great club,” Kretinsky commented.
Apart from his football investments, Kretinsky also bought 49% of French newspaper Le Monde back in 2018, and is a media investor in Prague. He bought stakes in US-based retailers Foot Locker and Macy’s, as well as in German retail giant Metro AG and French supermarket group Casino Guichard-Perrachon.
Kretinsky has also invested heavily in Sainsbury’s, Britain’s second-largest supermarket chain, and in the Royal Mail, of which he owns a 15% stake. US business magazine Forbes values Kretinsky’s wealth at almost $4 billion.
West Ham currently has two Czech players on its roster, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, with the club gaining popularity in the central European country as a consequence.