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Khan to invest for instant Fulham return

Fulham owner Shahid Khan is prepared to invest heavily over the summer to restore the club to the Premier League at the first attempt, he has said.

#INSERT type:image caption:Shahid Khan bought Fulham from previous owner Mohamed Al Fayed in July 2013.END#

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Postmortem of a torrid season

The Cottagers' 13-season stay in the top flight ended when they finished in 19th place after going through three managers during this campaign.

American billionaire Khan told the Evening Standard: "This is not about balancing the books. I am committed, and we are going to do whatever to get them back to the Premier League.

"It [relegation] is not what we wanted, but it is reality. What we have to do is build for the long haul.

"We are going to do whatever it takes to put the best team on the field. I have talked to Felix [Magath], and what we want to do is what is in the best interests of the team."

Germany midfielder Lewis Holtby had a limited impact during his temporary spell from Tottenham, playing 13 games and scoring once, but insisted he "cried with the club" when the Cottagers' demotion to the Championship was confirmed at Stoke.

"It was fantastic to play for this club, and they will always stay in my memories," Holtby told the club's official website.

"Even though we went down I had a fantastic time here. I cried with the club when we went down, and Fulham will always be a part of me.

"The fans took to me, and I took to them. I'm a person who plays with passion and desire. When you play for a club, even on loan, you have to give 100 percent dedication -- you can't just go and take the money.

"You have to play football with heart, and the Fulham fans deserve that."

Fulham reached the FA Youth Cup final, losing in agonising fashion to neighbours Chelsea, and Holtby believes youth can provide the foundations of future success.

"This club has a brilliant academy," he added. "A fresh start can see a lot of young blood come in, and that can only bode well for the future."