Derby chairman Mel Morris buys club from American Partners LLP

Local businessman Morris, who made his fortune backing the firm behind mobile gaming app Candy Crush Saga, re-invested in the club in May 2014, taking a 22 per cent holding following the Sky Bet Championship play-off final against QPR at Wembley.

The acquisition process began in May this year when he assumed the position as club chairman.

Morris, a life-long Derby fan, said: "Whilst I firmly believe that the club's ownership is very much a tertiary concern to most fans, I hope together we can help steer this club back into a sustainable place in the Premier League.

"We have many of the key components in place, but I am conscious that we must all commit our total support in pursuit of this goal, which I know is shared by all of us, as fans of this great football club.

"I wish to pay tribute to the North American Ownership group, who collectively provided the finance and leadership stability the club needed following the traumatic times which followed the 2007/08 season in the Premier League.

"They have been terrific to work with and I am sure they will continue to follow the Rams well into the future."

The club went on to say that its executive team will continue to be managed by chief executive Sam Rush and that a new board of directors will be announced in due course.