Sunderland AFC news: Stewart Donald reacts after completing 85% Eastleigh takeover

Donald stated back in March that he held a desire to return to Eastleigh FC after Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori combined to further reduce his shareholding at Sunderland AFC to nine per cent.

Louis-Dreyfus owns a 58% stake in Sunderland, with Sartori increasing his ownership stake to 33%, it was confirmed last month, which has freed Donald up to return to Eastleigh FC in the National League as intended.

With Donald now holding a stake of less than 10% in Sunderland, ownership rules mean he was free to take an active role elsewhere, which he has taken up with the non-league club, with the deal now having been approved by the relevant authorities.

The deal to buy Eastleigh will see Stewart Donald purchase 85% of the shares, resulting in him owning a controlling stake in the club after it was confirmed as done on Wednesday evening.

Eastleigh have also confirmed that Donald will become chairman of the club and current chairman, Tom Coffey, will assume the role of vice-chairman.

Donald said: ‘I’m delighted to return to Eastleigh. It is no secret that I have a huge amount of affection for the club, the area, and the fans after my last time here. It is very close to my heart and to be able to return to continue the journey was impossible to resist.

‘When I first came to the club there was lots to do both on and off the pitch and it is no different now. I can’t wait to get started.’

Donald insisted two months ago that he has no active part in decision-making in Sunderland, and that his involvement is purely in funding where required with Louis-Dreyfus calling the shots on Wearside.

His tenure as Chairman and majority shareholder ended in acrimonious circumstances due to widespread fan discontent with performances on the pitch and the manner of the club's direction off it.

One of Dondald's former allies at Sunderland, Charlie Methven, has recently seen a bid rejected for League One club Charlton Athletic by owner Thomas Sandgaard.

Methven no longer owns any shares in Sunderland but is leading a group currently consisting of Californian-based investors – including Joshua Friedman. The outfit initially tried to buy the League One club six months ago but failed and looks to have failed once again.

Another formal offer was received on Thursday with Friedman and Methven said to have submitted a new and improved £10.5m offer to buy Charlton, which has once again been rejected.