Derby owner seeks new investors to consolidate place in Championship

Derby County are seeking new investors to boost their spending power after returning to the Championship.

David Clowes, the club’s owner, is happy to accept a capital injection to help them stabilise and compete in the second tier.

Clowes could be open to selling up to 80 per cent of his shareholding to a serious and proper party, but intends to remain as chairman if any deal is agreed.

Telegraph Sport understands Clowes has held talks with a number of interested groups from around the world since he saved the club from liquidation in the summer of 2022.

Though Derby are not in negotiations with any party at this stage, their return to the Championship has sparked a wave of renewed interest from potential investors.

New investment must fit club’s business model

A source with knowledge of the process said: “David made it clear from the moment he took control of the club that he was open and willing to discuss external investment as long as that investment aligned with the club’s existing business model and principles.

“Over the last few months there have been several interested parties looking at a serious investment proposition but the club have taken no definitive position on those discussions.”

There is no suggestion that Clowes’ company is struggling financially and the plan has always been to seek outside investment.

Clowes, a lifelong supporter of the club, spent around £55 million to take Derby out of administration when he completed his takeover in June 2022.

In an interview with Telegraph Sport last year, he admitted Derby had been five days from going bust before his intervention.

Derby have been transformed since his takeover and, under the management of Paul Warne, finished second in League One last season to seal a return to the Championship after a two-year absence.

Derby sold more than 20,000 season tickets for this season and are currently 10th in the second tier.

In their most recent accounts, it was revealed that Derby made a pre-tax loss of £30 million in Clowes’ first year as owner.

However, that loss included a £19.7 million “impairment of purchased goodwill”, which occurs when a company decides to pay more than book value for the acquisition of an asset, and then the value of that asset declines.