5 Feb 2008GSE named as new owner of Derby

Derby County have revealed the name of their new American owner.

The General Sports and Entertainment (GSE) group will form an investment partnership with the club, which means they won't be taking on any debt.

According to Adam Pearson, who is to continue in his role as chairman, the arrangement will ensure that the club has sufficient financial firepower to establish Derby as a major player in the Premier League and eventually as an "international club brand".

GSE chairman Andy Appleby is equally bullish, hailing the club's "incredible potential".

There are now four American-owned clubs in the Premier League - Derby, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Liverpool - and Mr Pearson sees the Birmingham side as the ideal template for future success.

"The immediate aim is to continue to build the infrastructure of the club at Pride Park and obviously develop a squad which over the coming seasons is renowned as a Premier League force," he said in Derby's latest match day programme.

"The turnaround in the fortunes of Aston Villa, with their American investment in squad and club infrastructure, is a key model we would like to emulate over the coming seasons."

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