Leeds United are on the cusp of announcing an investment from a group affiliated with American Football side San Francisco 49ers.

A statement launched late on Wednesday night on the American club's website — now deleted — said that 49ers Enterprises would become a minority investor in the Championship side.

Current owner Andrea Radrizzani will remain majority shareholder of Leeds. 49ers Enterprises are understood to have acquired more than 10 per cent of the club.

The funds invested by the 49ers will be used on transfers during the summer window.

Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and executive vice president of football operations, and a friend of Radrizzani's, will join Leeds' board of directors. He becomes the fifth member.

'This strategic partnership enables Leeds United to align with and gain invaluable expertise from the owners of one of the biggest global sports entities,' said Radrizzani. 'The 49ers are an innovative, successful organisation and we are delighted to have access to such a rich source of business and sporting expertise.

'This exciting partnership builds on the foundations we have laid down at the club in the last 12 months and we can assure supporters that the funds invested will go towards improving results on the pitch.'

Members of the 49ers' hierarchy attended a number of games at Elland Road during last season.

Radrizzani has been seeking investment in the club this summer and there had been expectations that he would reduce his shareholding to around 90 per cent.

In preparation for a deal, a loan of around £9million made to the club by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd, the company that Radrizzani controls the club through, was converted into shares earlier in May.

Leeds are looking to improve on a difficult campaign and have already lined up a series of targets for the summer window.

They are interested in signing Hull City striker Abel Hernandez and former loanee Kyle Bartley from Swansea.

Leeds finished 13th in the Championship last season.