Mega-rich South Korean investors launch stunning bid to buy non-league side Woking
SOUTH KOREAN investors are set to buy into English football for the first time – in National League minnows Woking.
Sportizen – a Seoul-based sports marketing firm – is in talks to acquire the National League club from current majority shareholder Peter Jordan, reports the Daily Mail.
Woking Football Club play at The Laithwaite Community Stadium (formerly known as Kingfield Stadium)Getty Images - GettyAlex Jakubiak of Watford battles with Joey Jones of Woking during the U-23 pre-season friendly on July 8Getty Images - Getty
The group, led by businessman Chankoo Shim, became the first investors from Korea in European football when they completed a takeover of Belgian second-tier side AFC Tubize in 2014.
Now the company could be the first from Korea to invest in England and have targeted Woking – who finished 18th in football’s fifth tier last season.
Woking have also won the FA Trophy a joint-record three times.
The report claims Shim has ambitions of bringing young Korean players to Europe.
The 46-year-old met with members of the Woking board at the club’s Laithwaite Stadium in February.
A deal worth around £2million for the club is believed to be on the table.
Woking manager Anthony Limbrick will be hoping to build on the club’s 18th place finish last seasonGetty Images - GettyWoking play at Kingfield Stadium (currently The Laithwaite Community Stadium for sponsorship reasons)Getty Images - Getty
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The deal is being managed by investment brokers Blackbridge.
In May, Woking released a statement on their website revealing that the club had partnered with Blackbridge with a view to securing investment – but Cardinals fans are yet to find out who will be buying their club.
Lander Sports – the Chinese company in talks to purchase Southampton – have also been mentioned as possible candidates.
But it looks like Shim could become the first businessman from the Korean peninsula to invest in English football.
Sportizen – a Seoul-based sports marketing firm – is in talks to acquire Woking
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