Yeung's investment company Grandtop Holdings can now complete a compulsory purchase of the remaining shares with a view to taking the club off the Alternative Investment Market and into private ownership.

The news represents the formal end of the David Sullivan, Ralph Gold and Karren Brady era at St Andrews, although David Gold is poised to remain as chairman.

Yeung is expected to travel to England next week, and manager Alex McLeish for one will be keen to meet the new owner to hear his plans for the club.

Yeung must now begin the job of winning over Blues supporters after his failed takeover attempt during the 2007-08 season was widely viewed as a key factor in the club's relegation from the Premier League and in the departure of then manager Steve Bruce.

A statement from Grandtop revealed the takeover news today.

It confirmed: "As at 1pm on October 6, 2009, Grandtop owned or had received valid acceptances of the offer in respect of a total of 76,620,136 Birmingham City shares representing in aggregate approximately 94% of the current issued share capital of Birmingham City."

Blues boss McLeish insisted yesterday he was looking forward to working with Yeung, and said: "We are looking forward to a new era. There is a buzz about the place and the fans and they are anticipating another step forward.

"I am looking forward to working with the new owners. I am ambitious and they are ambitious and, of course, if there is money to spend, we would welcome it.

"It is exciting times and something I have great anticipation for."

Grandtop have left an open timetable to those shareholders who own the remaining six per cent of the share capital to return their certificates, so at this stage there is no definite deadline by which Grandtop will have acquired 100% of the shares.

However, now the acquisition of the remaining shares has become compulsory, it has become a matter of when and not if the shares are bought.

Chairman David Gold is eager to develop a strong working relationship with Yeung.

Gold told Sky Sports News: "It's an end of an era.

"It's been an amazing 16 years at the football club, 12 of those as chairman.

"I look forward to a new challenge and I hope that we can find a way to work together."

He is preparing to learn of Yeung's intentions for him, knowing the new owner may want a new chairman.

"There isn't a done deal," Gold said. "I am still chairman, I suspect for at least the next three to four days... and then we wait and see where that takes us."

Gold stressed he was unaware of Sullivan's plans for the future, amid reports he could look to invest in West Ham.

"I really don't know," Gold said. "My chosen route is to stay at Birmingham City and I hope that is the case.

"As far as David is concerned, who knows where the future will take him, or indeed us?"

Sullivan played down the West Ham link.

He told BBC Sport: "It is very unlikely. I need a break.

"I'll then have a look to see what's available but nothing is impossible."

He added: "I bought Birmingham 16-and-a-half years ago and it's been stressful.

"I need a little breather, a tiny little bit of time to recuperate.

"Then I'll see what makes sense from a financial point of view, geographical point of view and heart point of view - you've got to merge all those three together to come up with what's best for you."