New West Ham shareholder Jakub Havrlant has opened the door to increasing his stake in the club after acquiring around two per cent from Daniel Kretinsky.
The latest West Ham ownership development comes during an increasingly significant battle over the club’s future direction.
Havrlant, a Czech entrepreneur and investor, has become one of West Ham’s minority shareholders after acquiring part of Kretinsky’s existing holding.
The Times reports that Kretinsky has transferred more than two per cent of his West Ham stake to Havrlant, reducing his own holding below 25 per cent.
Havrlant makes West Ham ownership ambitions clear
Havrlant has now issued his first statement following the investment and made clear he sees significant long-term potential at the London Stadium.
“Joining the West Ham United family is a huge honour for me,” he said.
The businessman highlighted the club’s history, supporters and ambitions before making perhaps his most significant comment.
“In the future I am open to increasing my share to support the long-term development and continued success of the club,” Havrlant added.
That statement arrives at a fascinating time in West Ham’s ownership story.
ReadWestHam reported on Monday that Amanda Staveley’s consortium has provisionally agreed to buy the Gold family’s 25.1 per cent holding, although existing shareholders retain pre-emption rights.
Kretinsky’s decision to reduce his existing stake below 25 per cent could strengthen his ability to acquire more of the Gold family shares without immediately moving beyond the 50 per cent threshold.
Havrlant’s arrival therefore cannot be separated from the wider ownership picture.
His initial stake is relatively small, but his willingness to increase it means West Ham now have another shareholder openly expressing long-term ambitions for the club.
