Birmingham City’s owners have completed the purchase of the women’s team, with England and Blues legend Karen Carney part of several independent investors involved in the deal.

Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) are a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management – an investment firm co-founded by Blues chairman Tom Wagner.

They bought a controlling share of the Championship club in July 2023 before increasing that to a full takeover last November.

They have now acquired a 97% stake in the women’s side.

The remaining 3% has been taken up by a group of “prominent female business leaders and global professional sporting icons” including 144-cap Carney and three-time US Open tennis champion Kim Clijsters.

In a statement,, external the club said the deal “will elevate the focus on the women’s team” and “deliver on the stated ambition to compete at the highest levels in the women’s game”.

They added there would be “no immediate changes to staffing or football operations” following the takeover.