DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC'S German investors have announced that they are putting their stake in the club up for sale.

In a dramatic announcement this afternoon, DAFC Fussball GmbH have said that it is "with sadness and regret" that they are looking to sell their shares four years after initially becoming involved at KDM Group East End Park.

The Hamburg-based group have, in a statement, said that "recent events at the club have greatly contributed to this decision being made now", although it is believed that other directors on the board have been surprised by both the announcement and its timing.

In recent weeks, Athletic supporters have expressed their concern and disappointment at what they perceived to be a lack of investment in the team, with only three signings - Chris Kane, Kieran Ngwenya and David Wotherspoon - having been made so far this summer.

Dunfermline, who also played the entirety of the Premier Sports Cup group stage without a back-up goalkeeper, are bottom of the Championship having lost both of their opening matches.

DAFC Fussball GmbH have said that, following a board meeting on Monday, "resources have been made available to the management team to make sensible additions both by way of signings and by way of the now gradually active loan market", and that they "will continue to work hard with the rest of the board and the management team to make sure we do well this season".

It is understood that investment in the first team squad has been welcomed by Pars directors, as the search now begins for new investors to take on the DAFC Fussball GmbH shareholding.

"It is with sadness and regret that we announce today that, after four years of involvement, we shall be putting our stake in Dunfermline Athletic Football Club up for sale," they said.

"Recent events at the club have greatly contributed to this decision being made now.

"Over the coming weeks we and the other directors of the club shall be having discussions on the sale of our stake with some of the many parties who have approached us already over the past years and, of course, in coordination with PUCIC (Pars United Community Interest Company) who are, as of now, still the majority owners of your club. We have every reason to believe that there will be no shortage of interest in the club.

"In the meantime, of course all of us on the board have recognised that the current squad needs to be strengthened in several areas for reasons of both quality and depth. We are more than aware of this.

"At a board meeting held on Monday 12 August, resources have been made available to the management team to make sensible additions both by way of signings and by way of the now gradually active loan market.

"We will continue to work hard with the rest of the board and the management team to make sure we do well this season."