Semi Ajayi played the full 90 minutes as Hull City defeated Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Saturday.
The 30-year-old centre-back delivered an outstanding display. His defensive work ensured Hull kept a clean sheet heading into the closing stages.
Oli McBurnie sealed victory in added time with a clinical finish. Sol Brynn, Middlesbrough's goalkeeper, had fumbled a cross into the Scottish striker's path.
Hull City's promotion ends a nine-year wait to return to the Premier League. They last played top-flight football in 2016/17, when they lasted just one season.
The East Yorkshire club completes the trio of promoted sides. Coventry City won the Championship, while Ipswich Town finished as runners-up.
For Middlesbrough, Saturday marked their sixth consecutive failure at Wembley. The loss extended their painful record at the national stadium.
Ajayi made the joint-second highest interceptions in the match. According to the statistics, his defensive contributions were among the standout performances on the day.
The Nigerian defender returns to the Premier League after a five-year absence. He suffered relegation with West Bromwich Albion in 2021, ending his previous top-flight spell.
Hull will join Coventry and Ipswich in next season's Premier League. The three promoted clubs complete the quota for championship finalists.
