Another American sports activities star has confirmed that he's a part of the consortium led by 49ers Enterprises who're set to develop into the brand new homeowners of Leeds United. Los Angeles Clippers level guard Russell Westbrook revealed that he'll develop into a minority investor within the Elland Road membership as quickly because the deal is ratified by the English Football League.

The replace from Russell - who was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2017 - comes sizzling on the heels of Jordan Spieth confirming on Thursday that his personal minority funding in Leeds, alongside PGA Tour colleague Justin Thomas, is "done".

Westbrook, who's the 14th highest-paid athlete on the earth, in keeping with Forbes, will now be conserving a detailed eye on Championship soccer after the Yorkshire membership was relegated from the Premier League on the ultimate day of final season.

Confirming the news at a sports activities and leisure summit held by Sportico, Russell mentioned: "I was lucky enough to have conversations with some of the partners in this deal, who already have ownership in the 49ers.

"So I used to be fortunate sufficient to speak by means of that with associates, speaking with my enterprise associate as nicely about various things and having conversations, determining if this was the appropriate deal and the way we might make it completely different."

The inclusion of nine-time NBA All-Star player Russell in the takeover deal, alongside Spieth and Thomas, is a real boost for Leeds, who will be looking to plot a return to the Premier League as quickly as possible.

49ers Enterprises, who are the investment arm of NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers, already own a minority stake in United, which has already been increased once, but a deal with current chairman Andrea Radrizzani to take a controlling stake of the club has already been agreed.

The value of that deal was downgraded to £170m following the club's relegation to the Championship, but with Radrizzani's own group having completed a takeover of Italian club Sampdoria, finalising the American takeover at Elland Road is now expected to be a mere formality once the EFL's owners and directors test has been concluded.

A third PGA Tour golfer, Rickie Fowler, had been expected to be part of the consortium, but on Thursday, Speith confirmed that the Californian star had pulled out of the deal after Leeds were relegated.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Speith said: “Relegation wasn’t ideal, but we got involved with the 49ers group. We thought it would be a cool opportunity."