Mike Ashley's sportswear empire is expanding on two fronts in Europe after snapping up controlling stakes in a pair of retailers on the continent.
Sports Direct International, which is controlled by Newcastle United owner Mr Ashley, has struck a 40.5 million euro (£35 million) deal to grab a 51% share of Austria's EAG while paying an undisclosed sum for Sportland International Group (SIG), the largest sporting goods retailer in the Baltic region.
It is the latest stage of international expansion by Sports Direct, which already has retail interests in Belgium, France, Holland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Cyprus and Ireland.
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