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Southampton owners begin to grow network after purchasing controlling stake in Turkish side Goztepe S.K. amid ambitions to make Saints focal point of Red Bull-style football empire

Southampton's owners have added the first new club to their network by purchasing a controlling stake in Turkish side Goztepe S.K.

Sportsmail reported in March how Sport Republic, the London-based firm who bought Southampton in January, were hoping to add up to two new clubs to their portfolio by the end of the summer and Turkey was one of the countries they were looking in.

And the purchase of a 70 per cent stake in Goztepe and investment in a first new club was confirmed yesterday.

Dragan Solak (left) and Rasmus Ankersen (right) took over Southampton earlier this year
The Saints have had a difficult start to the season, picking up just one point in the league

Sport Republic, led by Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak and including CEO Rasmus Ankersen plus chairman Henrik Kraft, bought a £200m, 80 per cent controlling stake in Southampton in January.