After months of discussions and setbacks – including fears for the very future of the club – US businessman Chris Kirchner has finally exchanged contracts to buy Derby County out of administration.
Assuming a deal can be struck on the Pride Park stadium and a couple of other points can be cleared up, the American entrepreneur will take ownership on May 31.
Even before then he has agreed to start putting money into the Rams to help prepare for their upcoming campaign to play their way out of League One next season and back into the Championship.