La Liga: Singapore businessman Lim buys Valencia

Singapore businessman Peter Lim has become the new majority owner of debt-ridden Valencia after buying 70.4 percent of the shares owned by the club's foundation, the Spanish club said on Saturday.

The Valencia foundation's patrons voted for Lim's proposal, made via his company Meriton Holdings, ahead of other offers from international groups pledging significant cash injections.

"Peter Lim has completed the takeover," a Valencia spokesman told Reuters.

The next task for the new owner would be to agree a deal with lender Bankia, who are owed 220 million euros ($302 million), the spokesman added. The club's total debt is around 360 million euros.

Lim, who made a failed attempt to buy English Premier League side Liverpool in 2010, was the choice of club president Amadeo Salvo who felt the offer was the best suited to turning around the club's fortunes.

Lim has a fortune worth $2.4 billion, according to Forbes magazine, and is an avid soccer and sports fan.

Like many Spanish clubs, Valencia has struggled with high levels of debt and has regularly been forced to sell their top performers to stay afloat.

They failed to qualify for next season's Champions League and were knocked out of the Europa League this month by eventual winners Sevilla in the semifinals.

With one match left, a home game against Celta Vigo later on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time), Valencia is 10th in the 20-team La Liga standings. - Reuters