Electronic Arts says it has obtained all regulatory approvals for its proposed $55bn private acquisition and expects the deal to complete on 4 August, subject to standard final conditions. If completed, it would be a record leveraged buyout, placing greater pressure on EA to generate strong returns because much of the purchase is financed with debt.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is leading the deal alongside Affinity Partners and Silver Lake; EA shareholders approved it last December, while regulators including the European Commission and US Federal Reserve later cleared it. The acquisition has attracted criticism over Saudi Arabia’s human-rights record and claims of sportswashing, while EA chief executive Andrew Wilson reportedly received about $38m in bonuses and stock last financial year.