LONDON (AFP) - Premier League basement club Derby County have revealed the identity of the club's new owners as the US-based General Sports and Entertainment (GSE).

The Rams announced on Friday that they had been taken over by American investors, but their identity was not expected to be revealed until a press conference scheduled for later on Monday.

But GSE chairman Andy Appleby, who established the group in 1998, told the official Derby County website: "We are excited about the opportunity to make a significant impact at Derby County with our collective sports industry knowledge of best practices in management, sales and marketing.

"We have visited Derby County over the last six months and experienced a match day at Pride Park Stadium, where we were impressed with the incredible potential of the club and the loyalty of the fan base.''

Appleby will join chairman Adam Pearson on the club's board, along with Tom Glick, who is to be brought in as a new president and chief executive.

Glick is a former chief marketing officer for the New Jersey Nets basketball team, and another GSE affiliate, Tim Hinchey, will move to Pride Park as an executive vice president.

Hinchey also has experience of top-level sport as a former vice president of the Charlotte Bobcats, another NBA franchise.

Speaking in the matchday programme on Saturday, Pearson commented: "This is a significant day in the history of this club and the takeover adds new financial firepower, underpinning a long-term plan to establish Derby County as a major player in the Premier League and as an international club brand.

"The long-term aim is to establish the Derby County brand worldwide through successful alliances with sporting teams in the USA, Far East and other continents.

"The turnaround in the fortunes of Aston Villa, with their American investment in squad and club infrastructure, is a key model we would like to emulate over the coming seasons."

Derby, promoted via the play-offs last season, are eight points adrift at the bottom of the table and set for a quick return to the Championship.

On Saturday they were thrashed 4-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup at home to second-tier side Preston North End.