President Erdoğan receives Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı at Ankara palace

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Turkish entrepreneur and Hull City chairman Acun Ilıcalı at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. During the private meeting, Erdoğan and Ilıcalı discussed the promotion of Hull City to the Premier League and broader issues concerning Turkish sport and overseas business ventures. Ilıcalı presented the president with a new Hull City home shirt bearing Erdoğan’s name and the number 10, marking the club’s recent ascent after winning the Championship play‑off final at Wembley.

The president also honoured Ilıcalı with an award for his humanitarian work at the Turkish Red Crescent Awards Ceremony. Ilıcalı noted the overwhelming congratulations he received across the Turkish football community following Hull City’s promotion.