Thaksin 'sells man city to arab tycoon for £150M'

"The Donald Trump of Abu Dhabi" has taken over Manchester City, ending Thaksin Shinawatra's stormy love affair with the British Premier League football club he bought only a year ago.

In a deal whose financial details remain a secret, 31-year-old Sulaiman al-Fahim will represent the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ABUG) as the new Man City owner. Described as a "one-man publicity machine", al-Fahim has even followed Trump's example, as well as that of former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Sir Alan Sugar, in hosting his own reality television show.

A press statement from Thaksin's camp tried to save face for the ousted Thai prime minister, only confirming that discussions were being held to accommodate ABUG as a strategic partner. But ABUG was far more blunt, saying in a statement it completed the buyout late with Thaksin on Sunday and that the deal was a "massive achievement" that hopefully would make Abu Dhabi a global sports capital.

Only days ago, media reports quoted Thaksin as saying he was "dismayed" by speculation he was planning to sell out the club. Legal consultants were reportedly told to stand by for reports damaging to his and the club's images.

The takeover was reported to be a £150-million (Bt9.28 billion) deal. Thaksin bought Manchester City for more than £80 million. Thaksin will reportedly stay on as honorary president of the club, but without any administrative responsibilities.

Al-Fahim is CEO of Hydra Properties, while his television venture has cemented his status among the best-known and most charismatic Arab businessmen. He is regularly named one of the 100 most influential Arabs and associated with many of the world's richest and most famous celebrities.

Last month, he was photographed dining with Leonardo DiCaprio on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard, while earlier this year he spent time with Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Katherine Heigl and Charlie Sheen at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at an estate in the affluent Bel Air community of

Los Angeles.