CHAMPION forward Anthony Watmough could remain at the Manly Sea Eagles following a dramatic changeover of the club’s ownership.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal part-owner Rick Penn, one of Australia’s richest men, has bought out Quantum and will now own 90 per cent of the club.

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It is believed he paid around the $6 million mark in a deal that was secretly sealed on Wednesday night and reported to the Australian Stock Exchange on Thursday morning.

Rick Penn’s son Scott Penn spoke for the family in a statement released by Sea Eagles on Thursday afternoon.

“We want to thank The Quantum Group for their contribution to the Sea Eagles over the past three years and their major sponsorship prior to that,” Penn said.

“We acknowledge that the past couple of years off the field have been difficult, however we are committed to ensuring the Sea Eagles are a world-class organisation under consolidated ownership.

“There are a number of exciting initiatives which we will be announcing over the coming weeks to ensure our members are as excited as we are about 2015.”

The move will have dramatic ramifications and could even effect the future of Watmough, who was set to depart to the Parramatta Eels.

It also places doubt over the future of general manager David Perry, who was heavily aligned to Quantum.

More importantly it ends the boardroom brawling and internal squabbling that threatened the future of the club for years.

The ownership changeover will have a huge effect on player recruitment.

Under the previous structure, the head of Quantum Phil Sydney, was heavily involved with coach Geoff Toovey in assembling the roster and negotiations with players.

media_camera Anthony Watmough on the training track at the Narrabeen Sports Centre. Picture Gregg Porteous

It was his decision not to offer to club legend Glenn Stewart a contract which split the playing group.

Penn admires the Stewart family but didn’t have the boardroom votes to overturn the decision.

Rick Penn is a huge fan of Watmough and will try to convince him to stay.

Under the new ownership model, Scott Penn will become chairman.

In 2011, Scott was named on the BRW young rich list in 87th place with a wealth of $25 million.

Rick Penn, one of Australia’s wealthiest men, owns a private apartment on the luxury cruiser The World, next door to magnate Gina Reinhart.

He also owns Fairfax House in the Southern Highlands and a waterfront mansion at Kirribilli.

The remaining 10 per cent share in the club will beheld by Manly Warringah Rugby League Club.