The Rams are currently in administration
US businessman Chris Kirchner has confirmed his interest in buying Championship side Derby County, as reported by the Guardian.
The Rams were given a 12-point deduction after entering administration last month and remain bottom of the table despite winning three and drawing eight of their games this season.
Derby were also under a transfer embargo for a large portion of the transfer window, but the EFL relaxed those rules and implemented strict wage rules, meaning the club had to recruit from the free agent market.
The 34-year-old Kirchner, who founded and owns global logistics technology provider, Slync.io, addressed supporters of Derby via PA news in a letter, expressing his intention to help the East Midlands side.
He said: “My name is Chris Kirchner and I hope to see many of you soon – as this is my official announcement of my intention to work with the administrators to take Derby County Football Club out of administration.
“Derby County is a club with a rich history and one of the best groups of supporters in all of England.
“While the club is currently going through a really tough time, it is the supporters, and everyone associated with the club that have stayed loyal which provide the foundation to rebuild again.
“I want to be a part of that rebuild and support that effort. As an entrepreneur I am committed to building companies and I want to apply that experience towards rebuilding this proud and storied club.”
Kirchner also took to his personal Twitter account to reveal that he was keen to buy Derby, stating that while he can’t release all details on the subject, he will be at Pride Park for Derby’s next game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Listing several different points, it was in his third where he confirmed he would be travelling over for their upcoming game.
He said: “I will be attending the match on Saturday against Blackburn. 4) As things go with this process I will continue to share as I am legally able to while being respectful of the EFL and the administrators.
“They are both doing a wonderful job, care about the future of the club and will not let anything like some of the past public debacles happen again.
“The EFL are clear that they want sustainable and fiscally responsible clubs that will last for generations. As a fan those are a few of the things I would want to know, so I thought it would be right to share with all of you. Have a great evening and we will see you soon! – CK”
https://twitter.com/cskirchner/status/1452760425540562944
Current owner, Mel Morris has come in for criticism from fans of the club after he admitted back in September that he was willing “to effectively let the club go for no return to me” and has been actively trying to sell the club since March 2020.
He also received backlash from Derby manager Wayne Rooney, who publicly said he was “disrespectful.”
It had looked like Morris was set to sell the club in the summer to Spanish businessman Erik Alonso back in April, but a month later the deal fell through after doubts emerged over whether Alonso had the funds to go through with the deal.
Related links:
- Cash-strapped Derby still owe Arsenal seven-figure sum for Krystian Bielik
- Derby County facing point deduction after filing for administration
- Derby County in relegation limbo after EFL win appeal over FFP breach
