Tim Keyes has pledged that manager Paul Hartley will get the financial support he needs to establish Dundee in the Premiership.
The club’s American backer was a delighted spectator at Dens Park on Saturday and saw the Dark Blues clinch the Championship title on a day of drama.
He flew in from Texas not only to roar on the players against Dumbarton but also, with promotion clinched, to plot the way forward with director of football operations John Nelms, chief executive Scot Gardiner and the rest of the board.
Talks took place on Sunday and Keyes has promised Hartley that funds will be available to build a squad which can compete.
“Looking ahead, these are exciting times,” said the Texas-based businessman. “We couldn’t really calculate everything as regards the budget until we knew what division we would be in.
“That’s just good business sense. Now, though, we can say that we will be supporting the manager and the club. What we hope to do is stay up there.
“Paul and John (Nelms) now have to find the right players, whether that be the ones we have now or new ones that we need.
“This is a time for celebrating this achievement but we also have to think of the future,” added Keyes.
“The finances are fine and we will just be chatting about what we need to do to keep the club in the top league.
“We are happy with the way it’s going. We have always said this was a long-term plan and to do this in our first year, that’s pretty special.
“I am not sure we would say promotion is something we expected so soon but we were hoping it would happen.
“This means the world to me and is the reason why we invested. Things couldn’t have worked out any better I guess.”
Keyes revealed that his trip across the Atlantic was arranged last month and that he did wonder if he had done the right thing when the team were defeated at Cappielow a fortnight ago.
“I had it all booked a few weeks ago so when we lost to Morton I was asking the folks over here if I should still come,” said Keyes.
“They were like, ‘Yeah sure you never know what can happen!’ You know what, they were absolutely right!
“It was just a great occasion. Before kick-off, I kept walking outside of the stadium to see all the people queuing to get in.
“I also had a stroll around the track beforehand just to take in the atmosphere.
“I always intended being here for the final match of the season and boy am I glad I made the trip.”