LONDON, England (CNN) -- English football clubs have always attracted wealthy owners. Traditionally, club chairmen were bluff local businessmen with a few spare millions in the bank, perhaps looking to put something back into their local community, somewhere to schmooze clients and colleagues, and seduced by the idea of being a player -- albeit at boardroom level -- in a sport that is an obsession for millions. Long-suffering City fans overnight saw their club transformed into one of the world's wealthiest. But this week's purchase of Manchester City by an Abu Dhabi-based consortium from the controversial former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra provided further proof that the English Premier League has become an altogether different ball game, attracting an altogether different caliber of super-rich investor.
@highlight
Abu Dhabi investment group agree takeover deal for Manchester City
@highlight
Club immediately breaks British transfer record to sign Brazilian Robinho
@highlight
English Premier League has become a playground for billionair foreign owners
@highlight
New owners say they plan to turn City into the world's biggest club
"@placeholder is so awash with cash, they have difficulty spending it all," he said.