Acun Ilicali completes £30m Hull City takeover to end the Allam family’s 11-year reign

Acun Ilicali COMPLETES his £30m takeover over Hull City, with the ‘Turkish Simon Cowell’ ending the Allam family’s turbulent 11-year reign in East Yorkshire

  • Acun Ilicali has completed his £30m takeover of Hull City ending the Allam reign 
  • Ilicali attended Wednesday night’s match with Blackburn at the MKM Stadium
  • He was officially confirmed as the club’s new owner 90 minutes before kick-off
  • Ilicali has told Sportsmail that he wants Hull to target promotion next season


Acun Ilicali has completed his £30million takeover of Hull City – ending the unpopular 11-year reign of the Allam family.

The TV tycoon – dubbed ‘the Turkish Simon Cowell’ – has attended Wednesday’s Championship match with Blackburn at the MKM Stadium after being confirmed as the club’s new owner 90 minutes before kick-off.

‘I am happy that I have fulfilled one of my biggest dreams today,’ said millionaire Ilicali, who runs global production company, Acun Medya.

Acun Ilicali, dubbed the Turkish Simon Cowell, has completed his £30m takeover of Hull City

‘We are starting a beautiful journey with Hull City. We have many big dreams and goals to achieve together with our fans.

‘I would like to thank the Allam family for the friendship and sincerity they have shown during this process. I genuinely believe that we will achieve success with the amazing fans of this beautiful city.’

Ilicali told Sportsmail in an exclusive interview last week that he wants Hull to target promotion next season and go on to emulate Leicester’s success in the Premier League.

The TV tycoon attended Wednesday¿s Championship match with Blackburn at the MKM Stadium after being confirmed as the club¿s new owner 90 minutes before kick-off

The TV tycoon attended Wednesday’s Championship match with Blackburn at the MKM Stadium after being confirmed as the club’s new owner 90 minutes before kick-off

Ilicali (right) previously attended Hull's extra-time FA Cup defeat to Everton on January 8

Ilicali (right) previously attended Hull’s extra-time FA Cup defeat to Everton on January 8

He is expected to embark on a January spending spree with less than a fortnight to go in the transfer window and could raid Turkish giants Fenerbahce, the club he supports.

Midfielders Miha Zajc, 27, and Irfan Kahveci, 26, are both targets, as is 20-year-old striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh.

Ilicali told Sportsmail last week: ‘We need to make some transfers. I already have good connections.

‘But I really like most of the Hull City players. This team doesn’t need too many additions. Correct additions will make this team very successful.’

Ilicali also said he is keen to keep hold of Hull’s best young players, including West Ham target Keane Lewis-Potter, the 20-year-old English forward.

‘There is a logic point in football that sometimes you have to sell a player, but this logic moment at the moment is not soon for us,’ added Ilicali.

‘He is so young, he is not in a rush so we are not in a rush, why sell him in the short term?’

The Allam family – chairman Assem and his son, vice-chairman Ehab – took over Hull in December 2010 and led them to two promotions to the Premier League and the FA Cup final.

But they fell out with supporters, not least during their attempts to the change the club’s name from Hull City to Hull Tigers.

‘We are happy and proud to be leaving Hull City on a strong and stable financial footing,’ said Ehab Allam.

‘During our tenure, we have worked hard to create a sustainable model and successful academy set-up, giving the club the foundations it needs for the future.

‘The ability to develop and trade homegrown talent is an integral part to a sustainable football club, and we look forward to seeing more and more players follow that pathway at Hull City.

The Turkish TV tycoon previously said that he wanted Hull to target the Premier League

The Turkish TV tycoon previously said that he wanted Hull to target the Premier League 

Ilicali is keen to keep hold of Hull¿s young players, such as West Ham target Keane Lewis-Potter

Ilicali is keen to keep hold of Hull’s young players, such as West Ham target Keane Lewis-Potter

‘There have been lots of ups and downs over the last 11 years or so, but we will take some very fond memories with us. Memories of some of the greatest achievements in the club’s history and ones we have been privileged to be a part of.

‘We have worked with some excellent and hard-working managers, players and staff and I’d like to pass on my thanks for all of their efforts over the years.

‘The time has now come for a new owner to take up the mantle and I’d like to wish Acun and his team the very best for the future.

‘We have taken a very business-led approach to running the club and I truly hope Acun can rebuild the relationship with the fanbase and also bring back the success on the pitch that fans crave and deserve.’

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