Owner Acun Ilicali has presented Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with a brand new Hull City shirt to commemorate the Tigers’ sensational promotion to the Premier League.
Almost three weeks on from their dramatic win against Middlesbrough in front of 85,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final, Ilicali was invited to the presidential complex in the capital, Ankara, this week to meet with the Turkish leader.
Ilicali handed over City’s striking new home shirt, which was revealed earlier this week, with the president’s name and the number 10 printed on the back.
City‘s famous victory to secure a place in the Premier League has been big news in Ilicali’s native Turkey, with interest rising markedly in the East Yorkshire club he bought in January 2022.
Erdogan also later presented City’s owner with an award at the Turkish Red Crescent Awards Ceremony in Ankara on Thursday, for his ongoing humanitarian work.
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“Our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, received me at the Presidential Complex amidst his busy schedule,” the Tigers supremo penned on social media. “I had the opportunity to share with His Excellency the details of our journey to promotion to the Premier League with Hull City.
“His interest honoured and delighted me greatly. Inshallah, may God grant us the opportunity in the future to also share new successes with him.”
Speaking to Hull Live about the interest back in his homeland following City’s memorable victory at Wembley, the Tigers owner said the reaction had been significant.
“You cannot believe the reaction I’m getting in Turkey now,” he said. “Congratulations are coming from everybody you can imagine in Turkey. Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas, Trabzonspor, people in high-profile boardroom positions at these clubs, their presidents, are all congratulating me on our achievement.
“I’m still trying to catch up on so many messages. I’ve probably got through 10 per cent of the messages and been able to respond, but I’m so happy.”