Property Developer Greenland Group Buys Chinese Super League Club Shanghai Shenhua

Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua has new owners with "the purchase of the club by property developers Shanghai Greenland Group," according to Christopher Atkins of WILD EAST FOOTBALL. Details of the proposed arrangement "are still sparse, but it would bring an end to the Zhu Jun era at the Hongkou stadium, with the club becoming officially known as Shanghai Greenland Shenhua." Zhu had owned the club since '07, when "he began a merger with city rivals Shanghai United." However, there "is as yet no indication as to whether Zhu will retain his place on the club’s board." Given that we are currently mid-season in the '13 Chinese Super League campaign, there "will be no immediate changes to the club’s identity regarding the Shenhua name and kit design." However, it "is already being speculated that there may be changes for the 2014 season" (WILD EAST FOOTBALL, 6/25).