Ex-Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah sends Hull City message after play-off final win | OneFootball

Hull City clinched promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday

Hull City clinched promotion back to the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with a dramatic win over Middlesbrough.

The Tigers finished sixth in the regular Championship table, before winning 2-0 against Millwall in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Sergej Jakirovic’s side were originally scheduled to face Southampton in the final, but their expulsion from the competition meant they faced Boro instead.

Oli McBurnie’s stoppage time goal proved the difference between the two teams, earning Hull a place in the top flight.

The club haven’t competed in the Premier League since 2017, but are now planning for a tough survival fight ahead for next season.

They have joined Coventry City and Ipswich Town in securing a place in the division, much to the delight of owner Acun Ilicali.

Ex-Sheffield United owner issues message to Hull City

Former Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah has congratulated Hull for their achievement in winning the play-off final.

The Saudi Arabian sold his stake in the Blades in December 2024, and is no longer a part of the club, but he has highlighted the former Bramall Lane stars in Jakirovic’s side, including the match-winner McBurnie.

“Congratulations to Acun Ilicali, to all our Ex Blades, John Egan, John Lundstram, and especially to my dear Buddy Oli McBurnie,” wrote Abdullah via his X account.

Sheffield United reached the play-off final last year under new owners COH Sports, but were unable to earn promotion after they lost 2-1 to Sunderland, with another stoppage time winner deciding the contest.

Tommy Watson’s goal consigned the Blades to another year in the Championship, with a disastrous campaign following.

Chris Wilder’s team finished 13th in the standings, 13 points adrift of the Tigers, after the 58-year-old returned to the dugout in September, just months after his exit.

Meanwhile, Lundstrum and Egan were both consistently in Jakirovic’s side as they rose up the second division table.

The former featured 29 times in the regular season, while the Irishman made 42 appearances, with the pair both playing in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the final.

But it was McBurnie that ultimately played the biggest role in Hull’s promotion, as he contributed 17 goals and seven assists in the regular season before then bagging the crucial 18th at Wembley Stadium.

The Yorkshire outfit will now turn their attention to the transfer window, where Alicali will surely need to invest if the club are to have any chance at survival in the Premier League.

Hull City’s promotion will sting at Sheffield United given all the ex-Blades players

Sheffield United finished third last season, while Hull were 21st and only avoided relegation through their superior goal difference.

There were 41 points between the two teams 12 months ago, but now the Blades are still in the Championship and Jakirovic’s side are on their way to the big time.

That will sting at Bramall Lane, and McBurnie, Egan and Lundstrum all playing their part will only make matters worse, and even Regan Slater, who United gave away for just £50,000 to the Tigers a number of years.

McBurnie winning promotion will ultimately sting the most though for the Blades, given previous manager Ruben Selles turned down the chance to bring him back to Bramall Lane - Chris Wilder would have loved the fit and firing Scotland international at the top of the pitch under his management, alas it was not to be.