Ozan: ‘I share Acun’s dream of playing in the Premier League’
‘I’M VERY HAPPY HERE’: Ozan Tufan. Picture by Hull City
By Simon Bristow
Hull City star Ozan Tufan has revealed how new owner Acun Ilıcalı persuaded him to join the club by talking about his “dreams” of winning promotion to the Premier League.
The vastly experienced midfielder, lured from Turkish giants Fenerbahçe last month, has been one of the driving forces behind the Tigers breathtaking start to the season, which has seen them rise to second in the Championship after four games unbeaten.
The Türkiye international, who has been capped 65 times by his country, has played in every game, including the Carabao Cup defeat at Bradford, and is City’s joint top scorer with two goals.
Speaking at a press conference today ahead of the trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Ozan was asked why he chose Hull City. He said: “Acun has played a big role for me to come here. He mentioned about his dreams and about promotion to the Premier League, and that suits my thoughts as well. So this was my dream as well. That’s why I came here.”
Ozan, who was speaking through a translator, played Premier League football in the early part of last season in a spell at Watford before returning to Fenerbahçe.
He also said Club Captain Lewie Coyle, the Hull-born defender, had helped him settle quickly in East Yorkshire.
“Lewie is the person who helped me adapt here,” he said. “Lewie calls me for dinners and takes me to some activities, so I’m very happy for that. I’m very grateful for that as well. I’m very happy.”
He added: “I’m happy here. I’m settled here very, very well. Of course I used to play at Watford in London. When I compare Watford, Hull City is a small city, but I’m settling here really well, they are very friendly here and I am very happy here.”
Asked if he considered City to be promotion contenders this season after such a strong start, Ozan said: “Our goal is to stay in the strongest position and to stay at that level. If we stay in that strong position then we will bring our team to the best level.”
Saturday’s opponents, who are now managed by former Tigers boss Steve Bruce, have had a difficult start to the season, and are winless after four games, leaving them in 22nd place.
City boss Shota Arveladze still has a few injury problems in his squad, describing himself as “not happy yet” on that front. Another exciting new signing, Jean Michaël Seri, who got City off to a flier with an opening day winner against Bristol City, is among those ruled out for the clash at The Hawthorns.
Arveladze said he expected Bruce’s side to be even more determined to get a result after their poor start. He said of the fixture: “Every game is tough. They’ll try the best they can and we’ll also give our all. Our supporters are always helping us.”