Mystery Saudi prince, Englishman in Nice takeover

A mystery Saudi prince and a Manchester United-supporting British businessman led a buyout of French Ligue 1 side Nice on Friday, the club announced. The pair and their partners have purchased 49% with their share to eventually rise to 80%, Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere said without revealing the value of the deal. "After the first stage in which they take 49%, the new shareholders, with the the Saudi, will take 80% of the club," added Rivere. Businessman Edward Blackmore, the head of the Sports Investment Fund, said that he was unable to reveal the identity of his Gulf partner. "We are investing together with my partner, but not only him," said Blackmore who would only say that the member of the Saudi royal family was at his home on the Cote d'Azur. Rivere added that the Saudi prince asked not to appear in front of the cameras until the majority share had been established which is set for June this year. Rivere will retain 20% control and remain president while Blackmore, described as a Manchester United fan on the club's official website, will become vice-president. Despite the new investment, Rivere was adamant that Nice were not trying to imitate big-spending Paris Saint-Germain who are running away with the French title and are in the Champions League last-16, fuelled by Qatari cash. Nice are currently third in the Ligue 1 table, 24 points behind PSG, but well-placed for a spot in the Champions League next season. Blackmore said that Friday's deal was the culmination of six months of discussions and despite the new look, there would not be sudden, radical shake-ups. "We have learned to love the club, the town and region and having seen matches against Bastia, Bordeaux and St-Etienne, we know that the philosophy on the pitch corresponds to what we are looking for," he said. "With my partner, we totally believe in the project already in place. We will support it so that it can be fulfilled. We are here for the long term. "One of our priorities is to see youth flourish. A new first-class training centre is coming soon. That is a key step." Blackmore, 36, added that he had more than 10 years experience in the investment business especially in the sports industry. "I have also worked for other members of the Saudi Arabia royal family who have purchased clubs in the United Kingdom." Rivere said that the club's training centre could be opened in June 2017 at a cost of 15 million euros. "We will not buy players for 10 or 15 million euros. We will keep our best youngsters even if during the transfer window we could have made a lot of money," added Rivere.