Shad Khan becomes sixth American to buy Premier League team

Shad Khan, the Jacksonville Jaguars owner who continues to try to infuse life into his struggling NFL franchise, might be going the safer route by becoming the sixth American to purchase an English Premier League team with the completion of the sale of Fulham on Friday.

Khan, whose Jaguars have been rumored to be in play for a move to Los Angeles, has pumped money into the Jacksonville franchise as they made a management shift in the front office, changed uniforms and altered the logo while committing to play overseas for four consecutive seasons.

Now Khan has taken control of a Fulham club that finished 12th in the 20-team EPL and was debt-free upon purchase from Mohamed Al Fayed. Details of the purchase were not announced.

“Mr. Al Fayed rescued the club in its hour of need and has led it to a sustained place within the Premier League,” Khan said in a statement released Friday. “Fulham is the perfect club at the perfect time for me.

“I want to be clear, I do not view myself so much as the owner of Fulham, but a custodian of the club on behalf of its fans. My priority is to ensure the club and Craven Cottage each have a viable and sustainable Premier League future that fans of present and future generations can be proud of.”

Fulham will open Premier League play Aug. 17 against Sunderland, which happens to be owned by American Ellis Short.

The other four EPL clubs owned by Americans are Aresenal (Stan Kroenke), Aston Villa (Randy Lerner), Liverpool (John W. Henry) and Manchester United (Glazer family).

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