Palermo have been sold for just €10 | OneFootball

Palermo have been sold to an unknown company in London for the symbolic price of just €10.

The Sicilian side are currently top of the Serie B table after drawing 0-0 with Benevento on Friday and negotiations over the club’s sale have been ongoing since the takeover was first announced last month.

Then, on Saturday morning, owner Maurizio Zamparini confirmed via a farewell letter to the supporters that a deal has now been closed.

“US Citta di Palermo announce that on the evening of 30 November 2018, the passage of 100 per cent of Palermo Calcio shares was signed in front of a notary,” wrote Zamparini.

“During the next week, a meeting is planned with the representatives of the company from London, new owners, with the team and the city.”

Zamparini bought Palermo for €15 in 2002 and in 2004, the Rosanero returned to Serie A for the first time in 31 years.

In 2011 they reached the final of the Coppa Italia and during Zamparini’s ownership, they qualified for the UEFA Cup/Europa League five times.

However, after struggling financially for a number of years, they were relegated back to Italy’s second flight at the end of the 2016/17 season and have remained there ever since.

“Thinking of the future of the club and the Palermo fans, I signed my exit from the ownership, with a lump in my throat,” continued Zamparini’s letter.

“The objective for some time was to find someone who could continue my work with more financial clout, with important targets that can only be achieved with investments that I was no longer able to make.

“Other than Palermo, sold at a symbolic cost of €10, we also sold Mepal, the owners of the brand, with the pledge to repay the residual credit to Palermo of €22.8m that will enter into the club coffers to guarantee healthy economic gestation.

“The new London-based owners will put into action, with the help of industrial associations, the necessary activity for the construction of the stadium and training ground.

“I have long ago contacted the Mayor, who promised with enthusiasm to have the maximum collaboration and finish the project as soon as possible.

“I am sad to have been depicted in the media as someone that I am not, as my entire life shows I am an extremely honest, fair, socially active and generous person.

“Every time I visit Palermo, I feel the affection and gratitude of the people. Whenever I walk through any European city, I am shown gratitude and affection by all the Palermitani who emigrated.

“It is gratitude for all the sporting results since my arrival that helped to give Palermo a different image, one focused on the reality of a generous people, who are fair and have cultural traditions going back millennia. With my leadership, there are Rosanero jerseys in airports all over the world and they will be in future too.

“Albeit with the difference of a man from the North, I came and loved your city and your customs. Every time I return here, I’d like to be welcomed as one of you.

“With profound sadness and a great deal of affection, I salute you.

“Maurizio Zamparini.”