Brentford Football Club Owner Matthew Benham has bought the majority shareholding in Danish football club FC Midtjylland and the associated handball side FCM Handball.

Matthew has bought shares in FCM Holding, the parent company of the two clubs, along with local investors.

The investment has made him the largest shareholder and Cliff Crown, Brentford FC Chairman – who acts as Chief Financial Officer and business adviser to a number of companies in which Matthew has a financial interest, will join the FCM Holding Board of Directors.

Matthew said: “FC Midtjylland has what it takes to become a successful top club: Impressive talent development with an unusually high number of academy graduates playing for the first team or being sold to foreign clubs; a football management driven by passion for the game and the club; and, like Brentford FC, strong roots in the local community.

“Recent financial difficulties have forced the club to sell key players, but I will help stop this trend.

“I am convinced that we can create a sound and sustainable top club – not by outspending other clubs but by outthinking them and by being more effective.”

Matthew emphasised that FC Midtjylland and Brentford FC will be run independently, but said he hoped the clubs will learn from each other, sharing experience and best practices.

Cliff Crown added: “This is an exciting venture for Matthew and I am delighted to be part of the new Board of Directors at FCM Holding.

“I hope FC Midtjylland can be as successful as Brentford have been over the past few years.

“Brentford supporters should be reassured that this does not change anything.

“Matthew is a Brentford fan; he loves the Club and is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as Chairman and, as I said 12 months ago, I am committed to my role as a guardian of the Club for the supporters.

“Brentford fans would have seen the strides being made to establish the Club in The Championship, with new signings on the pitch and the investment in a new stadium.

“We will work with our new friends at FC Midtjylland and use any expertise they have to help us achieve our goals.”

Midtjylland, formed in 1999 after a merger between two clubs, finished third in the Danish Superliga – top division – in the 2013/14 season.

They have qualified for the Europa League Play-Offs and will enter the competition at the same stage as Tottenham Hotspur.