Dundee Utd: Mark Ogren takes control of Scottish Championship club
- Published
Mike Martin, who is stepping down, succeeded Stephen Thompson as Dundee United chairman in March 2018
United States-based businessman Mark Ogren says he will finance the signing of players in January after completing his takeover of Dundee United.
Ogren, whose background is in software, oil and real-estate, has bought 85.61% of United in a reported £1m deal., external
He told an American publication, external that his short-term aim is promotion to the Scottish Premiership and that "some changes" will be made in January.
"They won't be major - we're not far off from where we need to be," he said.
"Our short-term goal is to get promoted to the Premiership. We're very close to getting that done. We just need the finish push to get there, and we will do that."
Ogren - who travelled to Scotland for United's win over Queen of the South in November - becomes chairman, replacing Mike Martin, who steps down as a director.
James Fyffe - who, like Martin, sold his shareholding - and David Dorward remain directors at the club, and will be joined on the board by Ogren's son, Scott.
Who is Mark Ogren? |
|---|
Ogren, 56, was president of Croix Oil Co, which his parents started in 1964, from 1995 |
He sold the family-owned petroleum business, which owned 13 convenience stores and 10 Circle K stores, in September |
Ogren owned a Northwoods League baseball team, Mankato Dogs, from 2012 to 2017 |
He is also the majority owner of Sioux Falls Canaries, in South Dakota, an independent professional baseball team |
Ogren was part of an investment group that owns Sioux Falls Stampede hockey team, which plays in the United States Hockey League |
United who currently sit third in the Scottish Championship, five points behind leaders Ayr United, having lost in the promotion play-offs in the past two seasons.
Martin said the deal is the "start of a bright future" and that Ogren's "style, approach and vision for the club" were aligned with those of the current board.
"He is ambitious; he wants to take the club back to the top end of Scottish football and he is prepared to back the club to achieve those ambitions," he added.
"What was important was to get the right owner with proper aspirations for the club and one who had got to grips with the potential and rich history of the club. Mark convinced us on all those fronts."
Martin also insisted that Ogren does not plan to merge with rivals Dundee, who also have American owners.
"We understood very early on that there were no connections between Mark and his son Scott and the owners of Dundee.
"We also did seek assurances earlier on that this wasn't a prelude to a full-scale merger and we were absolutely satisfied.
"I believe he fully understands the position this club represents in the community and is determined to cement that. I feel good about his motives.
"This is a massive day in the history of Dundee United. It is many years since they've had strong financial foundations and this deal should do that."