Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor, a move that has sent ripples through Turkish football. The transfer comes after a period of intense speculation involving several of Turkey's top clubs, including Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, as well as interest from Saudi Arabia.
While Fenerbahce initially appeared to be in the lead, with an executive claiming Salah was keen on a move and positive meetings held, sources at Galatasaray have since suggested they were approached first but found the contract demands unacceptable. Besiktas also reportedly reached a verbal agreement, but the club's president, Serdal Adali, blamed the collapse on the agent, Ramy Abbas, for demanding "unbelievable figures" in commission. Adali maintained that Besiktas did not pursue the transfer further, stating they "didn't want the transfer."
Despite the competition and reported financial demands, Trabzonspor secured Salah's signature. The move is seen as a significant coup for the club, which is ranked 146th in European club rankings. Salah's decision to join Trabzonspor, the fourth-biggest club in Turkey, prioritizes European competition, specifically a place in the UEFA Europa League, over potentially lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. He will reportedly be the highest-paid player in Turkey.
Sources indicate that Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, currently on loan at Trabzonspor, played a role in convincing Salah by making a "compelling pitch." Egyptian teammate Mahmoud Trezeguet was also involved in the recruitment efforts.
Trabzonspor's initial outreach to Salah's representatives occurred during the World Cup, but they re-entered negotiations in the past 10 days. The deal was finalized quickly while Salah was on holiday. The club's president, Ertugrul Dogan, expressed confidence in Trabzonspor's ability to attract top talent and compete for the title.
Salah's motivation also includes the chance to help Trabzonspor win their second Super Lig title since 1984. Overthrowing Galatasaray, who have won the last four league titles, would be a significant accomplishment for the Egyptian star. At his unveiling, attended by thousands of fans, Salah expressed his excitement and desire to win trophies with the club, thanking the president for making the transfer happen.
The move is also anticipated to have a considerable impact on Trabzon, a city of 300,000. There is a belief that Salah's presence can elevate the city onto the global stage. Trabzonspor pre-ordered 100,000 jerseys, and initial estimates for sales have risen significantly, with the official website crashing due to high traffic. Salah's contract includes a 20 percent cut of any 'Salah 10' merchandise sold.
The impact is already being felt in tourism, with direct charter flights from Cairo to Trabzon commencing. The first flight brought 120 Egyptian tourists, and thousands more are expected. Salah himself expressed surprise and joy at the reception he received upon arrival, describing it as an unparalleled experience.
Salah, who has agreed to wear the No. 10 shirt, joins a club aiming to disrupt the traditional dominance of Istanbul's "Big Three." Despite being only two seasons removed from being named the Premier League's best player, Salah's move to Turkey signifies a desire to experience a strong connection with fans, which he anticipates finding in Trabzon over the next two years.