Motorola Mobility director William R. Hambrecht has stepped own from his position, leaving the handset maker with only nine directors.

Seventy-six-year-old Mr. Hambrecht, who co-founded the former investment bank Hambrecht & Quist, had been serving Motorola Mobility as a director since 2008.

The news of the resignation of Mr. Hambrecht, who was put on the company’s board by investor Carl Icahn, came just two days after the company confirmed its plans to be acquired by Google Inc. for around $12.5 billion.

Speaking about the potential transaction, the outgoing director said, "I am delighted with the transaction we entered into with Google, and I look forward to seeing the benefits and new opportunities this partnership creates."

The deal will not only provide Google Inc. with a portfolio of more than seventeen thousand patents, which are currently in the hands of Motorola Mobility, but also allow it to challenge smartphone manufacturer within a year.

Analysts speculate that Google-Motorola deal might prompt other big takeover deals, For instance, Microsoft might move to acquire RIM.