Paul Richardson confirms he and ex-Barcelona star Maxi Lopez own Birmingham City, as he targets usurping Aston Villa – but doesn’t promise title win like Laurence Bassini

Lifelong Birmingham City fan Paul Richardson says he 'wants to give the fans something to be proud of' following his takeover of the Championship club.

Richardson, who is co-founder of sportswear brand Gymshark, has joined forces with former Barcelona and AC Milan striker Maxi Lopez to take control of the Blues.

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And Richardson spoke exclusively to talkSPORT about the details of his purchase of the club, as well as how the Champions League winner came on board, on Tuesday's White and Jordan show.

Richardson explained: “It's myself and Maxi Lopez, it's been quite well known for a while that we've formed a partnership and we will then bring in the right people in terms of CEO, CFO, etc.

“He originally came to me, we formed a relationship and, with Maxi, he’s all about football, he wants to bring football to Birmingham and to the fans.” 

The duo managed to beat Laurence Bassini to the purchase of the Midlands outfit, despite the British businessman joining talkSPORT to detail his attempts to take over the club earlier this month.

Bassini disclosed a £30million bid to buy the St Andrew's outfit and vowed to win the league with up to £100m of extra investment.

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Richardson hasn't been quite as bold in his prediction, but wants to bring more youth players like Jude Bellingham into the first team, and ensure that Premier League-competing rivals Aston Villa aren't the only big team in the city.

He said: “It might take us a while. The idea is to get the foundations in, get the youth back in the team – there are some really good youth players in here, as you've already seen - and just get those foundations in place. 

"Thinking about the Premier League is too early at this stage, we have got ambition, but we will put our feet on the ground first.

"This city deserves more than one team and we want to be back where we were many years ago. We want to give the fans something to be proud of and I can be proud of as well.” 

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Richardson and Lopez are only buying an initial 21.64% of the club immediately but the Brit insists that he will have 'full control' at St Andrew's and expects to become Blues chairman.

"Initially it's a part ownership and then we move forward over the next two and a half years to obtain the rest, but hopefully the official statement from the club will come soon," explained Richardson.

When asked how he will have full control of the club despite owning just a small percentage, he added: “It's all in the agreement.

"You don't need full percentages to take control, it's all in the agreements. We will have full control."