In July 2013, following Cardiff City's promotion to the Premier League, it emerged that Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan, who had taken effective control of the club in 2010, was in advanced talks with Hammam – confirmed as Langston's spokesman – about repayment of the loan, then thought to be around £24 million.[12] Four days later, on 18 July 2013, Tan announced that an "amicable resolution" had been reached between Cardiff City and Langston over the debt issue, with Sam Hammam becoming a life president of the club.[13] Hammam confirmed this in an interview with the BBC on 24 July, requesting that fans of the club back the Malaysian owner.[14]