Hull City secured promotion back to the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with a thrilling victory over Middlesbrough.

After finishing sixth in the regular Championship league, the Tigers defeated Millwall 2-0 in the play-off semi-finals.

Sergej Jakirovic’s team was originally slated to face Southampton in the final, but their elimination from the competition meant they had to face Boro instead.

Oli McBurnie’s stoppage-time goal separated the two clubs, securing Hull’s spot in the top division.

The club hasn’t competed in the Premier League since 2017, but they’re preparing for a tough survival fight next season.

They have joined Coventry City and Ipswich Town in clinching a place in the division, which has pleased owner Acun Ilicali.

Ex-Sheffield United owner delivers message to Hull City.

Former Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah has congratulated Hull on their victory in the play-off final.

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

“Congratulations to Acun Ilicali, to all of our ex-Blades, John Egan, John Lundstram, and especially to my dear buddy Oli McBurnie,” Abdullah said on his X profile.

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

Tommy Watson’s goal relegated the Blades to the Championship for another year, and a dismal season followed.

Chris Wilder’s squad ended 13th in the rankings, 13 points behind the Tigers, when the 58-year-old returned to the dugout in September, only months after leaving.

Meanwhile, Lundstrum and Egan remained steady in Jakirovic’s squad as they climbed the second division rankings.

The former made 29 appearances in the regular season, while the Irishman made 42, with both participating in the final’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

But it was McBurnie who ultimately played the most important part in Hull’s promotion, scoring 17 goals and seven assists throughout the regular season before bagging the decisive 18th at Wembley Stadium.

The Yorkshire club will now focus on the transfer market, where Alicali will undoubtedly need to invest if the club is to have any hope of survival in the Premier League.

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

Sheffield United finished third last season, while Hull finished 21st and narrowly avoided relegation thanks to a better goal difference.

The two teams had 41 points a year ago, but the Blades are still in the Championship, while Jakirovic’s side is on their way to the big time.

That will sting at Bramall Lane, and the presence of McBurnie, Egan, and Lundstrum, as well as Regan Slater, who United sold to the Tigers for £50,000 several years ago, will only exacerbate the situation.

McBurnie’s promotion will sting the most for the Blades, given that previous manager Ruben Selles turned down the opportunity to bring him back to Bramall Lane – Chris Wilder would have loved to have the fit and firing Scotland international at the top of the pitch under his management, but it was not to be.