Donald Trump has formally nominated Woody Johnson, the billionaire owner of the New York Jets American football team, as US ambassador to Britain, the White House announced on Thursday.

The nomination of Mr Johnson, who will now require Senate confirmation to take up the diplomatic post, was widely expected after Mr Trump referred to the 70-year-old as "ambassador" during remarks at a luncheon in January.

In the announcement, the White House cited Mr Johnson’s asset management firm The Johnson Company and his 16 years of being the chairman and CEO of the Jets.