(SportsNetwork.com) – Leeds United is again new owners.
Daryl Murphy’s consortium purchased the club from majority shareholder Massimo Cellino, who had a “prohibition period” between Aug. 2 and Sept. 25 to comply with Football League sanctions.
The deal, which is valued at around $22 million, makes Murphy the third owner of the club since it was taken over by Cellino. He then renamed it the Championship side of Leeds United.
The Football League overturned a previous disciplinary decision that would have meant Cellino’s loan was converted into a 99.99 percent stake in the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted that I can be a part of the history of the Leeds family,” Murphy said on Thursday. “I’m very happy that we’ve been able to save the club with the help of our fans, our staff and other members of the board.
“We have a fantastic project and we’re delighted to be a part of that.”
Leeds starts its 20th season in the Premier League on Saturday against former owner Cellino’s Bologna.
“I’ve done my best to take the club forward in the three months I’ve been here,” Murphy said. “Leeds United have an excellent team and we’ve recruited a group of players to take the club forward over the next couple of years.
“I want to give the fans some enjoyment this season. I’ve seen the progress made in pre-season and from a technical point of view we’ve been excellent.”
Both sides are coming off losses in last weekend’s Championship season-opening matches.
New owner Cellino also owns Chievo, which lost 3-1 to Torino.
Ex-Leeds player Gordon Strachan headed in goals in the fifth and 18th minutes for Torino. Striker Fabrizio Miccoli made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute.
Leeds surrendered two goals in the second half in a 4-2 loss to Crystal Palace. Jack Butland gave Palace the lead with a 20-yard effort in the 52nd minute. Luke Garbutt replied for Leeds in the 64th minute. Palace played much of the second half a man down after Mamadou Sakho picked up a second yellow card. But Leandro Bacuna collected two assists in the win.