American entrepreneur Chris Kirchner has been named as the preferred bidder to take Derby County out of administration – despite apparently pulling out of the running a few months ago.
The businessman, who made his fortune in business software, first showed an interest last autumn, only to pull his bid in December.
Following subsequent discussions administrators Quantuma today announced they hoped to be able to strike a deal in the coming weeks.
However they said any deal would only cover the club – with ownership of Pride Park stadium still up for discussion.
Carl Jackson, joint administrator said: "We are delighted to be able to name Mr Kirchner as preferred bidder, which the joint administrators consider represents the best deal for creditors and one which will secure the long-term future of the club.
"The naming of our preferred bidder represents a significant milestone in the administration and we look forward to working with Mr Kirchner and his team to complete the sale of the club.”
The administrators added: "Following a rigorous and well-documented marketing process, the joint administrators of Derby County Football Club have accepted an offer from Chris Kirchner to acquire Derby County Football Club out of administration.
"This follows receipt of his recent bid for the club. The bid is for the purchase of the football club only with the terms of the club’s ongoing occupation of Pride Park stadium to be negotiated with external stakeholders.
"Mr Kirchner had initially expressed an interest in acquiring the club in late 2021; and the joint administrators have welcomed Mr Kirchner’s renewed interest.
"Discussions have taken place with key stakeholders, and Mr Kirchner has been named as the preferred bidder for the Club, with immediate effect.
"The joint administrators have entered into a period of exclusivity with Mr Kirchner and his advisers, during which further operational, commercial and contractual discussions will take place."
Mr Kirchner withdrew his initial bid for the Rams in December after the administrators said it fell short of other offers they were expecting for the club.
The 34-year-old co-founder and CEO of software company Slync.io, a global logistics technology provider, switched his attention to Preston North End but in a surprise twist he emerged as the front runner at Derby again.
Last year he attended a number of Rams games and visited the training ground. His business is based in San Francisco.
Administrators were brought in to the Championship club last autumn after it had been struggling for some time to find investors. Then owner Mel Morris said he had no choice but to make the "gut-wrenching" decision over its future.
The 138-year-old club, currently managed by former England captain Wayne Rooney, was one of 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, and last played in the top flight in 2008.
The two-time champions of England play their home games at Pride Park having moved from its original home of the Baseball Ground in 1997.
