SAINTS have been taken over by Sport Republic – but who is the man backing the company financially?

Serbian-Slovenian businessman Dragan Solak has been named as the lead investor of Sport Republic, a company co-founded in December by Danes Rasmus Ankersen and Henrik Kraft.

A media mogul back in his birth-country of Serbia, Solak founded United Group – a broadcaster – back in 2000. Initially starting out as just a small cable operator in central Serbia, the company now dominates the Balkans, providing broadband, mobile and TV services to 40 million people in eight countries.

This success means the company generates €2billion (£1.67b) every year, hinting that Ralph Hasenhuttl may suddenly find himself with quite the war chest.

Solak himself is reportedly worth €1.22b, and as of last year was understood to be the richest man in Serbia, after becoming the first Serbian 'home-grown Euro-billionaire.'

Not one to be seen in the public eye, the Serbian is a relatively unknown figure in his home country.

Whilst he has not previously been linked with any football clubs, the United Group Chairman is an avid golfer – who is more than happy to invest in golf courses to play on. He has invested in numerous sites across the Balkans.

Sports Republic have only purchased Gao Jisheng’s shares – which amount to 80 per cent of Saints shares in circulation.

Katharina Liebherr still owns 20 per cent of shares, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.