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Arsenal has launched an initiative that allows supporters to buy shares in the club.

With shares trading at more than £10,000 each, fans will be encouraged to buy portions of shares through the Arsenal Fanshare scheme, which was unveiled on Wednesday (August 18).

Supporters will be invited to pay a minimum of £100, either up front or in £10 monthly contributions, to buy one fanshare – one hundredth of an actual share. In return, the member will secure full shareholder's rights: the chance to attend the annual general meeting, ask questions of the directors and vote on policy.

Arsenal is valued at about £640m and each of its 62,000 shares trades at £10,250. The club is majority-owned by four shareholders: US businessman Stan Kroenke, who has spent millions to buy just under 30 per cent; Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov (27 per cent); long-term shareholder Danny Fiszman (16 per cent); and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, who is publicly seeking a buyer for her 16 per cent.

Arsenal Fanshare has been organised over five years by the Arsenal Supporters' Trust, which campaigns against the club being bought by one rich individual and for supporters to be represented in decision making.

"We believe it is fundamentally helpful to the club to have supporters who are active and engaged," Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said. "The important thing is that supporters are valued and nurtured, not exploited. That is good for the club's soul, and for its all-round health."

Supporters' trust spokesman Tim Payton added: "It is hugely significant that all the major Arsenal shareholders have given their support and that suggests talk of a takeover can be put to one side."

And sports minister Hugh Robertson told the Guardian: "This proposal at Arsenal is enlightened and forward-looking. Clearly it is for individual clubs to decide, but this is a model I'd like to see other teams explore."