Turkish media mogul Acun Ilicali has agreed a £30million fee for the purchase of Hull City – having revealed last month his plans to make the club ‘consist of Turkish people’.
While the Hull Daily Mail report that there are still several obstacles to overcome before the takeover can be completed, Egyptian owner Assem Allam has accepted an offer from Ilicali which will be paid in installments, with another £20m to paid if the Yorkshire club are promoted to the Premier League.
Ilicali started his career in Turkey as a journalist and broadcaster in the 1990s. He then went on to establish his own production company in 2004. In April, less than one year after purchasing Fortuna Sittard’s Dutch club Fortuna Sittard, he sold his stake.
Acun Ilicali (pictured in 2018 together with his ex-wife SeymaSubasi) has agreed to pay a fee to purchase Hull
Alicali and Fenerbahce owner Ali Koc are seated at a Janury 2020 basketball match
Ilicali, 52, said in September, “I’m thinking about buying Hull City in England.”
“The other side believes in us. My dream will become a reality if God allows. I want to fly in England the flag of my country with the success and glory of Hull City.
“I hope that Hull City will be made up of Turkish people, from their coaches to certain future players. My goal is to make a difference in the world.
The takeover must be done with due diligence. Allam and fans won’t be overexcited until the deal is completed. There have been several failed takeover bids since 2014, when the club was up for sale.
In a Championship clash this month, Middlesbrough’s UcheIkpeazu is beaten by the Hull defenders
Hull Daily Mail Hull City council has not been contacted regarding the potential purchase of MKM Stadium, where the club plays its home fixtures.
Egyptian businessman Allam purchased Hull in 2010. He invested millions of dollars in the club, earning promotion back to Premier League in 2013. After promotion, he announced his intention to’rebrand the club’ as the ‘Hull City Tigers’. This sparked furious reactions from their fans and ended his honeymoon period as an owner.
Allam’s attempt in 2014 to change Hull’s nickname was rejected by the FA and he sold the club that year. They were relegated to the Championship in 2015, returned for a season 2016-17, and then dropped to League One in 2020.
Assem Allam, current owner of Hull, tried unsuccessfully to change the club’s name for 2014.
Grant McCann was the one who planned an immediate return to League One as League One champions. However, he is under pressure with Hull currently ranked 22nd in Championship and two points away from safety.
They currently do not have any players or staff coming from Turkey. Australian Callum Elder is the only one from Britain or Ireland.
The club reportedly owe Allam £39.5m in loans.