Chinese Businessman Says He Paid $109 Million for UK Soccer Team – Wall Street Journal

BEIJING—English soccer club Aston Villa, whose fans includes Britain’s Prince William, has found an owner from China, where President Xi Jinping has made development of the sport a national ambition.

Recon Group, a holding company owned by businessman Tony Jiantong Xia, has bought “100%” of the Birmingham club from its former chairman, Randy Lerner, according to Mr. Xia and the club.

Mr. Xia said in an interview on Thursday…