Hull City owner Acun Ilicali closing in on latest signing venture as club chief speaks out

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali is on the cusp of clinching a deal to invest in Slovenian club NK Maribor after turning his attention to the former Champions League outfit.

Ilicali has been eyeing up another opportunity in Europe after relinquishing control of Irish Premier Division outfit Shelbourne in November last year and has been scouring the continent for a suitable club to add to his portfolio, which includes Championship promotion hopefuls City, and looked at clubs in Greece including Panathinaikos.

Talks remain ongoing with the club based at the 11,000-seater Ljudski vrt Stadium, who currently lie third in the Slovenian PRVA Liga and were beaten by Ilicali's Turkish love, Fenerbahce in the Europa Conference League qualifiers at the beginning of the current campaign.

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"We are glad that Acun Ilicali and his team recognized NK Maribor as the most successful club and the best brand in Slovenia. We can confirm that we have met and started the initial phase of talks," Maribor director Bojan Ban explained.

"Within the framework of the Slovenian economy and with the sponsorship funds that are available, it is indeed difficult to maintain the project at the desired level, which would combine long-term financial stability with competitive ambitions. After the research carried out and the findings so far after the introductory meetings, the club management is convinced that Mr. Ilicali is a suitable long-term strategic partner who shares our values and ambitions.

"After the expressed mutual great interest in joint cooperation, the next phase is on the line, with the coordination of the strategy of joint action and the concretization of matters."