Sunderland promotion rivals get major boost as takeover confirmed

After a drawn out and complex takeover saga, the Addicks are finally under new ownership after Sandgaard today clinched a deal to purchase the club in its entirety.

The Dane – who claimed Sunderland were one of several clubs he considered investing in before deciding on Charlton – was at the Valley for the club’s clash with Doncaster Rovers last week.

And he has now been confirmed as Charlton’s new owner – handing Lee Bowyer’s side a considerable boost as they look to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

In an open letter to the club’s supporters, posted on his Twitter account, Sandgaard said: “Today is the day! We did the impossible. We triumphed and we made it to this point because of you.

“Thank you for your passion, your perseverance and your patience. There is no club without you. We are Charlton Athletic Football Club.

“From early on, I felt that we were in this together. I am humbled by your support and honoured to officially become part of the Charlton family. The Charlton community is one of a kind. You welcomed and embraced this change of hands with more openness than many others would have given your history.

“Thank you for standing up for what you believe in. I will not let you down. Cheers to each of you. Cheers to Charlton! I assure you we are just getting started. We are London’s club.

“This week and every week, we will #CheerForCharlton.”

Sandgaard’s takeover will see the club’s transfer embargo removed, and could allow Bowyer to add some additional quality to his squad in the coming weeks.

The embargo – which has seen Charlton restricted in the wages they could offer players – saw them fail to hand former Sunderland defender Adam Matthews a new deal.

Joel Lynch, who left the Stadium of Light earlier this summer, was also on trial at the Valley but has not yet been offered a deal.

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