A press release from Royal Emirates Group today read: "Royal Emirates Group, the dynamic conglomerate chaired by His Highness Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum on Thursday April 21st, 2011 announced their purchase of first division Spanish football club Getafe CF.

"(Getafe president) Angel Torres felt this landmark agreement will lead to new business relationships being forged between UAE and Spain. In the spirit of this joint endeavour and to show the solidarity of the people of Dubai it was announced that Getafe CF will now add the tag line "Team Dubai" to its crest.

"Royal Emirates Group plans to invest heavily in inducting new blood and promoting the team in the region with the aim to make Dubai a transcending sky bridge between Europe and the Middle East."

Getafe, who have been playing in the Primera Division since first winning promotion to the top flight in 2004, finished in sixth place last season but are currently battling against relegation.

Last weekend`s 1-0 win over Sevilla - only Getafe`s second league victory in 16 matches in 2011 - left the club from the outskirts of Madrid in 14th place, four points above the relegation zone.

Getafe reached the final of the Copa del Rey in both 2007 and 2008, losing to Sevilla and Valencia respectively, and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2007 before being knocked out by Bayern Munich on away goals.

Royal Emirates Group says it has a "widely diversified portfolio of over 200 firms, ranging from commodities, oil & gas, renewable energy, travel & tourism, health care, water purification, real estate & construction."