FC Midtjylland Name New Chairman Following Takeover by Brentford FC Owner

Danish Superliga team FC Midtjylland have named Rasmus Ankersen as their new Chairman following their takeover by Brentford FC owner Matthew Benham.

Ankersen is the co-founder of data-driven football business, 21st Club, and takes on the new challenge after Benham became the majority shareholder of the team with a £6.2m investment.

Ankersen, 30, is a former player and coach who holds a UEFA A Licence and co-founded FC Midtjylland’s highly-acclaimed football academy in July 2004 – Recent graduates include Simon Kjaer and Winston Reid.

Commenting on today’s deal, Ankersen said: “FC Midtjylland has substantial untapped potential. It is no secret that the club has been under tremendous financial pressure in recent years, and the efforts made by Johnny Rune (FC Midtjylland founder) and his team to stabilise the club command respect.

“This is the foundation for Matthew seeing the potential in the club and for us to resume doing what FC Midtjylland does best: challenging conventions and standards for running a football club.

“We are going to put FC Midtjylland on the international map and I can’t wait to get started.”

Ankersen and Benham have worked together with 21st Club and Brentford collaborating last year in a season that saw the Bees promoted to the English Championship