Avi Yechiel has officially become the owner of Hapoel Ramat Gan, ONE reports, after the last of the legal and bureaucratic hurdles - including formal approval from the Israel Football Association - were cleared this week.
The sign-off closes out a process that began in late April, when management rights at the club were first passed from previous owner Amir Hamias to a purchasing group fronted by Yechiel, at the time still pending federation ratification.
"This is a significant and emotional milestone, the official start of a new era at the club," Yechiel said, according to ONE, adding that he and his group intend to "keep working quietly, responsibly and patiently" while pursuing a clear long-term vision for Hapoel Ramat Gan.
Yechiel, a former defender who won four caps for the Israel national team, made his name with Hapoel Petah Tikva before spells at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Petah Tikva and Hapoel Beer Sheva. He later moved into administration, serving as CEO of Hapoel Petah Tikva before turning to ownership.
When his takeover was first announced publicly in late May - a day after Hapoel Ramat Gan secured its return to Ligat Ha'al - Yechiel told Sport1 he was "proud to join a prestigious and important club in Israeli football," pledging to build a stable, competitive organisation in keeping with the values the club has carried since 1927.
Club CEO Moshe Barket, a retired police commissioner, had held signing authority as caretaker while the federation reviewed the transfer, with Hamias thanked by the new ownership for his role in the handover negotiations.
According to ice.co.il, two private individuals are financing Yechiel's purchase but have asked to stay out of the spotlight, even though their identities will be disclosed to the Football Association's ownership and financial oversight committees. "You can understand them - they all know football and the media," Yechiel said of their reluctance to go public.
The finalised sale lands Hapoel Ramat Gan in the top flight for its centenary year, giving Yechiel's group a full campaign to stabilise a club that has spent recent seasons shuttling between ownership groups and divisions.
