Break into Premier League, finally

West Bromwich Albion became the first Premiership side to be acquired by Chinese mainland owners in August.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud attempts a shot on the West Brom goal during an English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London, Britain, December 26, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Shanghai-based consortium, Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Ltd, became the new owner of West Brom, after a deal of which no price details were given. The group is headed by 42-year-old Lai Guochuan.

The Midlands club (yes, again) currently ranks 9th in the Premier League, after a Christmas time 1-0 blow by Arsenal.

Birmingham's Yeung era ends

Chinese firm Trillion Trophy Asia (TTA) completed its takeover of Birmingham City in October, making the club fourth Midlands-based side to welcome Chinese owners.

Fans pass in front of Birmingham City Football Club's ground, St Andrews stadium. [Photo by Robin Parker/British Phonographic Industry]

TTA, which is controlled by businessman Paul Suen, purchased 50.64 percent of stake of the club's holding company, Birmingham International Holdings Limited, in a deal that valued the club at 12.3 million pounds ($15.1 million). The take-over officially ended a tumultuous era under Carson Yeung, the Hong Kong tycoon who purchased the club in 2009 but resigned from all club-related positions in February 2014 before being jailed for money laundering.

The club has been stuck in the second-tier league after relegation from the top-flight Premier League in 2012.