Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has gained total control over English Premier League club Manchester City which he purchased last month, his lawyer in Thailand told AP. "The Shinawatra family has managed to acquire at least 75 percent of shares in the holding company of Manchester City football club. Total control has been transferred to the family," Noppadol Pattama said. A 75 percent holding will allow Thaksin to delist the club from the London Stock Exchange and take it into private ownership, which Noppadol indicated was his intention. "The next step is to recruit or to buy new players from several national teams such as Italy, Sweden, Brazil and Thailand," said Noppadol. "We expect to select at least two Thai players from our national team to join Manchester City."