STEWART DONALD'S involvement with Sunderland is now officially over after the remainder of his shares in the club were bought by co-owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori.

Louis-Dreyfus has increased his shareholding in the Black Cats to 64 per cent, with Sartori now owing the remaining 36 per cent of the club.

While Donald was replaced as majority shareholder in February 2021, he had retained a stake in the club and was still an influential investor.

The former chairman's stake was reduced to 19 per cent last summer, and shrunk again to nine per cent in March.

He has now relinquished his entire shareholding, meaning his involvement with the club is officially at an end.

Donald took over at Sunderland in May 2018 when, as the head of a group that also involved former director Charlie Methven, he completed a buyout of former owner Ellis Short.

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His popularity dipped markedly throughout his reign, which saw Sunderland fail to reclaim their Championship status as they languished in League One.

A Sunderland statement released this morning said: "Sunderland AFC today announces that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has increased his shareholding in the club.

"Mr Louis-Dreyfus has increased his stake to 64%, with Juan Sartori increasing his stake to 36%.

"The shares have been acquired through the purchase of shares previously held by Stewart Donald, who has now exited the club's shareholder group entirely.

"SAFC's board of directors remain unchanged."