Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise Nashville SC will finally be able to proceed with their new 30,000-seater stadium at the Fairgrounds after reaching a deal with city mayor John Cooper, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

Under the terms of the revised agreement, Nashville SC have agreed to privately fund 100 per cent of the stadium construction through cash investment, stadium lease payments and revenue generated at the venue, crucially eliminating taxpayer and budget burden.

The deal will essentially see Nashville SC pay US$54 million more in potential expenses, providing US$19 million to fund the infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, while also assuming the city's obligation to pay up to US$35 million toward lease payments.

The construction project had initially been expected to cost US$275 million, but the Tennessean says that the figure is now estimated to have risen to US$335 million.

The agreement ends a months-long standoff between Nashville SC, MLS and Cooper. The stadium project was initially approved by the city in 2017, but was then blocked by Cooper when he assumed office in September last year. The club and the league publicly criticised the mayor's 'continued refusal to proceed' at the end of January and also ramped up pressure by encouraging fans to sign a petition urging Cooper to allow construction on the stadium to begin.

With Cooper's approval now secured, Nashville SC confirmed in an official statement that the demolition process of the old facilities at the Fairgrounds will begin immediately.

The club have sold more than 30,000 tickets for their opening fixture against Atlanta United, which takes place on 29th February.