Charlton Close to Takeover
Charlton Athletic have been taken over by a Belgian electronics tycoon

Belgian tycoon Roland Duchâtelet has completed his takeover of Championship club Charlton Athletic for a reported £20m.

Local media reports cite sources on the Charlton Athletic board as confirming that the club is now under new ownership.

The final contracts that will seal the takeover are expected to be signed today and the valuation of the deal is higher than the £14m previously reported.

Roland Duchâtelet, 67, is Belgium's 18<sup>th richest man, is the current owner of Belgian league leaders Standard Liege and boasts a fortune of €500m (£417m) amassed in the electronics industry.

He is also the owner of Hungarian team Ujpest, Germany fourth-division club Carl-Zeiss Jena and Belgian second division side Sint-Truidense.

It is reported that Duchâtelet will give manager Chris Powell funds to invest in the January transfer window to stave off the threat of relegation in the second half of the season.

One player already linked with the Championship club is Standard Liege midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic, a former Sweden under-21 international who was on Liverpool and Leicester City's books as a youngster.

Standard Liege sports director Jean-Francois de Sart told Swedish paper Expressen that Astrit is to be sent out on loan.

"It is quite possible that Astrit will join another club on loan for six months," he said.

"There are some options, but I do not want to mention which club since nothing is sealed yet.

"A loan for six months is a good solution for all parties. Then, Astrit will return and we will review the situation."

Ex-chairman Michael Slater previously announced in a statement on the club website that "very constructive discussions are ongoing [with another party] which we hope to conclude soon."

The Addicks currently lie 19<sup>th in the Championship, three points above the relegation zone after an unbeaten festive period.

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