Shah Rukh likely to buy 50 per cent shares in Dempo SC

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is all set to buy stakes in I-League champions Dempo with the Goan football club's chairman Srinivas Dempo on Friday saying that he was hopeful of sealing the deal.

Dempo said that the talks with SRK, who co-owns IPL-winning side Kolkata Knight Riders, were "progressing very well".

"We are discussing with Mr Shah Rukh Khan on his possible investment in the club and the only thing I can say is that talks are progressing very well," Dempo said.

"His response has been very positive. Mr Khan is very passionate about football and, apart from just involving himself in Dempo, he wants to do something for Indian football. He said that football was his first love even before cricket," Dempo added.

Dempo would not elaborate much on the details but sources said that SRK has been in talks with the Goa-based I-League champion club for a while. They said Shah Rukh has met Dempo quite a few times and he was interested in acquiring a 50 per cent stake in the club.

"Talks are on and he has also met the Dempo management, including the owner, a couple of times, but it is yet to be confirmed. Some things need to be worked out before finalising the deal," a source said.

It has been learnt that the club was keen on using SRK's name and popularity in promoting the I-League champions who have been dominating Indian football for quite a while now.

The club's owners recently bought a 34 per cent stake in leading Danish soccer club and academy FC Midtjylland, for 12 million euros.

Dempo have won the I-league three times since its inception in 2007-08, including the inaugural edition, besides winning the erstwhile National Football League (NFL) twice.

They are also the only Indian club to make it to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, Asia's second tier club competition, in 2008.

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