Shilen Patel completes West Brom Takeover

American businessman Shilen Patel has completed the takeover of West Bromwich Albion.

In addition to being the Championship club’s majority shareholder, Mr Patel has also become the team’s new chairman.

Bilkul Football WBA – a company owned by Mr Patel and his father Kiran Patel – has acquired an 87.8% shareholding in Albion.

Shilen Patel said: “I am humbled to become the new custodian of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.”

The Baggies have not played in the Premier League since being relegated at the end of the 2020-21 season, having twice lost their top-flight status under Guochuan Lai.

But West Brom are battling for a Championship play-off place, lying fifth under head coach Carlos Corberan.

The £60 million deal has taken almost a fortnight to be finalised but, having been approved by the English Football League, Mr Patel has now officially taken charge.

Mr Patel has also been a minority shareholder of Italian Serie A club Bologna since 2014.

Shilen Patel continued: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting project for the club to regain its standing as a consistent Premier League presence.

“Success does not occur overnight, but it is my ambition to build on the club’s current and historical strengths and surround West Bromwich Albion with high-quality stakeholders at home and globally.

“I am also fortunate to be inheriting and continuing the great work of The Albion Foundation at home and abroad.

“I am in awe of the opportunity to help write the next chapter in Baggies history and am committed to being a responsible, respectful, and effective steward of the club.”

He has also previously invested in businesses across five continents including technology, healthcare, real estate, finance, food and beverages.

West Brom are no longer in receipt of parachute payments.

Fans are still angry at Mr Lai’s failure to repay the £5 million he owes from a loan received from the club following the Covid pandemic in March 2021.

In November 2023, WBA confirmed they had taken out another loan for an unspecified amount from American investment group MSD Holdings, on top of the £20 million they borrowed in December 2022, to help with “ongoing funding”.

Having already won over a fan base who had become increasingly disillusioned under the previous owners, Albion’s first task under Mr Patel will be trying to defeat Midlands promotion rivals Coventry City on March 1, 2024.

The businessman is expected to be there for the Coventry game.