EPL, Blackburn Rovers Get First Indian Owners: Venky's Complete Takeover

Poultry giant Venky's have completed their takeover of Blackburn Rovers to become the first Indian owners in the Premier League.

Venky's (Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group) paid £23million for a 99.9 percent stake in the club, buying their controlling share from The Jack Walker Trust.

"We are all truly honoured to be working with such an historic club and are committed to creating a long-term financial platform which the club can use to realise its obvious potential on and off the field," Venkateshwara Rao, joint managing director of Venky's, said.

"It is as a team that this club has succeeded in the past and it is as a team that this club will achieve great things in the future."

Paul Egerton-Vernon, chairman of the Jack Walker Settlement Trustees, said: "We are very pleased to be passing on the Rovers to the Rao family.

"We have been impressed with their enthusiasm for the club and their plans and ideas for future investment to develop it further as well as their wish and commitment to preserve the legacy of Jack Walker."

Walker's investment in the club saw them crowned Premier League champions in the 1994-95 season. They were relegated four years later but returned to the top flight in 2001.