Hull City head out of Humberside Airport on Monday morning for the first part of their pre-season training camp ahead of the new Premier League season.
City will spend nine days in the Slovenian mountains, based at the purpose-built Play Green resort just outside Maribor, with two games during their stay in the country.
In a break from recent tradition, City will not be spending their time in Riva, at the home of the Turkish FA, just outside Istanbul, after club bosses opted for a stay near Maribor.
During their spell in Slovenia, City will play against Konyaspor at the Aluminij Sports Park in Kidričevo, before tackling Rizespor at Ljudski vrt Stadium, the home of Maribor FC.
Last term, Rizespor finished eighth in the Turkish Super Lig, with Konyaspor finishing a place below them in ninth, and will no doubt provide testing opposition for City in their first two outings since returning to training a week ago.
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The trip will be crucial for Jakirovic to get his side ready for the Premier League, and he’ll hope to welcome a flurry of new signings given the length of time the players are away.
Oscar Zambrano, who plays for Maribor, is expected to link up with the squad on arrival, while Elliot Stroud is also set to join the club while they’re in Slovenia, and it emerged on Sunday that former Newcastle United defender Matt Targett is also set to join the camp.
It’s also hoped, as reported on Thursday, that Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis will also see his move to the MKM Stadium confirmed this week.
There could also be further arrivals to swell numbers throughout the two-week trip.
After their inaugural camp in Slovenia comes to an end, City will then travel to Istanbul on Wednesday week for a four-day stay on the Bosphorus.
Whilst in the city, the Tigers will train at Kasimpasa’s purpose-built training centre, and they’ll face the side that finished 13th in the Super Lig last season. Under former boss Shota Arveladze, City were 1-0 winners in their final pre-season of last season’s trip to Turkey, thanks to Tyrell Sellars-Fleming’s late goal.
Owner Acun Ilicali and boss Sergej Jakirovic will also host a press conference at the team’s hotel ahead of the game against Kasimpasa at their Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium on Saturday, August 1.
It’s also understood City’s players and staff will be treated to an exclusive boat trip along the iconic river, to take in the sights of Istanbul.
Hull Live will be the only English media with City during every step of their pre-season tour, and you can follow all our updates in print and online.
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