A regional daily has celebrated a football club’s takeover by a Saudi-led consortium – but says it will not shy away from “uncomfortable questions” raised by the deal.

Newcastle daily The Chronicle ran a special edition this morning featuring 30 pages of coverage, as well as a 16-page souvenir pull-out, after the £305m takeover was approved by the Premier League.

Its Chronicle Live sister website recorded 1.5 million page views yesterday, driven by rolling live coverage of the developments at the club’s St James’ Park stadium.

In an editorial leader, The Chronicle’s former Newcastle United editor welcomed the takeover but also urged fans not to “shy away from challenging anything that diverges from our proud record of tolerance and diversity”.

The Premier League says it received “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi state would not control the club, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman being listed as the chair of the Public Investment Fund which will provide 80pc of funds for the deal.

Earlier this year, a US intelligence report found it was likely the prince had approved the murder of exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Saudi Arabia rejected the report, calling it “negative, false and unacceptable”, and the prince himself has denied any role in the journalist’s killing, while five people were sentenced to death over what was described as a “rogue operation by a rendition squad”.

Mark, currently football agenda editor with Reach plc, wrote in his editorial: “A new era has dawned at Newcastle United and it’s impossible not to feel excited about the potential for a club that has been left on its knees by years of neglect.

“It would be remiss not to recognise that the takeover arrives with uncomfortable questions, too. Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and attitude to women and homosexuality should be unacceptable to any Newcastle fan.

“And the city of Newcastle will not shy away from challenging anything that diverges from our proud record of tolerance and diversity.

“But for the majority of Newcastle fans, this is about football and what it means for a club that is at this city’s beating heart. They can dream again about magical European nights and challenging for honours.”

Chronicle chief football writer Lee Ryder and Mark were given an exclusive interview with the club’s new co-owner Amanda Staveley on Thursday evening, marking a stark contrast with access battles involving the newspaper and United in recent years.

Lee said: “The communication doors have been bolted down but it was remarkable how within an hour of the takeover being confirmed [Staveley] was eager to sit down and talk to the Chronicle.

“Hopefully it can be the start of better times for us all.”

The Chronicle has previously spoken out on numerous occasions about former United owner Mike Ashley’s running of the club, and The Chronicle’s back page today, pictured below, depicted him walking away from Newcastle.

The front and back pages of the special edition, which can be bought here, were created by award-winning designer Gary Beckwith.

Helen Dalby, audience and content director for Reach’s titles in the North East, said: “Every day for 14 years, 4 months and 14 days, our website and newspapers have reported on every twist and turn of Mike Ashley’s tenure at Newcastle United.

“The Chronicle and Journal are the city’s longest-serving newspapers, and we live and breathe Newcastle United, taking great pride and responsibility in our role as the voice of the fans.

“It was important that our coverage of the eventual sale of the club, after 18 months of disappointment and frustration, captured the mood of the fans and the city. The whole team pulled together to deliver compelling live online coverage and a brilliantly designed souvenir newspaper to remember.

“Newcastle is a welcoming and friendly city and it’s incredibly heartening to have lines of communication opened between the new club regime and local media right from the start, and to hear pledges to listen and to talk to fans right away.

“Next year, Newcastle United celebrates 130 years in existence – and as we have been throughout the club’s proud history, our reporters will be there every step of the way.”