Dragan Solak, Southampton's New Owner Who Has A Wealth Of IDR 32.4 Trillion And 3 Private Jets

JAKARTA - The owner of the telecommunications company United Group, Dragan Solak completed the acquisition of 80 percent of Southampton's shares on Tuesday.

The Serbian billionaire acquired Southampton in a £100 million deal from Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng who bought an 80 per cent stake in the club in August 2017.

"Southampton have so many qualities that we look for in a big sporting organization," said Solak after taking over for The Saints, quoted by the Daily Mail, Thursday, January 6.

A new era at #SaintsFC We can confirm that Sport Republic has completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Southampton Football Club.

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 4, 2022

"This club has a great management team, great talent development, a talented team that plays exciting football and a dedicated fan base."

In fact, who is Dragan Solak? Born in 1964, Solak founded his telecommunications company in 2000 and transformed him from a cable operator in Serbia to a regional leader.

The company provides services in eight countries where its channels own the TV rights to the Premier League.

Solak is a huge golf fan and has founded a company called Eligo, which provides customers with exclusive golf courses.

According to the United Group website, the company owned by Solak earns more than £1.67 billion in revenue per year.

Meanwhile, according to Serbian media, Solak is considered the first billionaire in the country to own a luxury home near Lake Geneva.

Not only that, he also has three private jets.