The Hague football club ADO Den Haag is being taken over by Chinese football and sports promoter United Vansen International Sports.

The football club’s major shareholder Stichting Stadion Ontwikkeling on Tuesday announced an agreement in principle with the Chinese firm.

ADO Den Haag finished ninth in the Dutch Eredivisie last season. ‘The Chinese have promised to invest millions of euros,’ SSO official Mark van der Kallen told broadcaster Omroep West.

‘The deal will still take one or two months to close. The Hague city council has to give its approval but I do not expect this to be an issue,’ Kallen said. ‘The council can only stop the takeover if it comes up with a similar or better offer.’

ADO Den Haag was in serious financial trouble in 2008 but then won promotion to the premier division.

United Vansen International Sports has been involved in taking European super cup matches and other events to China.