Hull City owner Acun Ilicali makes Oli McBurnie admission after Wembley win over Middlesbrough
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali’s Oli McBurnie admission after Wembley win over Middlesbrough
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has admitted he was rooting against Las Palmas after setting his sights on Oli McBurnie last year.
McBurnie arrived at the MKM Stadium in the summer of 2025, arriving on a free transfer during a window in which Hull were limited by a transfer embargo. He has ended his maiden campaign on a goal tally of 19, the last of which fired Hull to a Championship play-off final win over Middlesbrough.
He was available for a free transfer after a season in Spain with Las Palmas, one that ended in relegation from La Liga.
The relegation freed McBurnie up to leave his three-year contract early, giving Hull the opportunity to pounce.
After watching McBurnie send his club to the Premier League, Ilicali told Sky Sports: “We waited for two months for Las Palmas to be relegated in order to get McBurnie. His contract was, if he is relegated, he could be a free transfer. So we don’t have any options, he’s our best option. We start watching Las Palmas games.
“We sit and watch the Las Palmas games, and of course sorry for Las Palmas fans, but when the other team scored, we were just celebrating, because one step more, one step more.”
McBurnie, who counts Sheffield United, Bradford City and Barnsley among his former clubs, now looks set for another chance to impress in the Premier League. He played in the top flight during his Sheffield United days, but suffered relegation twice with the Blades.
After notching the winner at Wembley to send Hull up as the third promoted side, he told Sky: “For the first time ever, I think I am speechless. Listen, it’s been a long, hard season and I think that game summed us up.
“We’ve had a game this year where we’ve had more of the ball than the opposition. It was tough out there with the heat and Middlesbrough are a top, top team and we knew we were going to be right up against it.
“We felt we were going to have one chance and it was written for me to get it. I didn’t think it would be like that late on, but what a feeling."