Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor, a move that has sent ripples through Turkish football. The transfer marks a significant shift for the prolific forward, who spent nine years at Liverpool.
Trabzonspor secured Salah's signature despite reported interest from other major Turkish clubs, including Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. While Fenerbahce executives initially expressed confidence in securing the player, sources within Galatasaray claimed that protracted contract demands led them to abandon their pursuit. Besiktas also reportedly had a verbal agreement in place, but the club's president blamed the collapse on the player's agent, Ramy Abbas, for allegedly demanding exorbitant commission fees.
Despite the competition, Trabzonspor emerged as the eventual destination. Insiders suggest that a key factor was Salah's desire to continue playing in European competitions, a consideration that may have swayed him away from lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs. The move to Trabzonspor, who will participate in the UEFA Europa League, makes Salah the highest-paid player in Turkey, surpassing Victor Osimhen.
A unique sales pitch reportedly played a role in convincing Salah. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, currently on loan at Trabzonspor, is understood to have contacted Salah for private discussions, presenting a compelling case for the Black Sea club. Egyptian teammate Mahmoud Trezeguet also contributed to the recruitment effort.
Trabzonspor had initially contacted Salah's representatives during the World Cup but withdrew due to fierce competition. They re-entered negotiations in the past 10 days, finalizing the agreement while Salah was on vacation. This transfer is viewed by some as a strategic move to challenge Istanbul's traditional 'Big Three' of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas.
Trabzonspor President Ertugrul Dogan expressed optimism about the signing, stating that the club can attract players of all levels and aiming for a title challenge this season. The prospect of helping Trabzonspor win their first Super Lig title since 1984, a feat that would be a significant personal accomplishment for Salah, is seen as a primary motivation.
Salah, who trained with his new teammates for the first time on Thursday, expressed his excitement at the unveiling. "I'm here to win, I want to win something with this club because you have showed me so much love," he said. "I really appreciate that, I want to thank the president for making it happen. I'm very happy to be here and I can't wait to see you on the pitch."
The move has also generated considerable excitement in Trabzon, with expectations that Salah's arrival will put the city on the global map. The club pre-ordered 100,000 jerseys in anticipation of demand, and initial estimates for jersey sales have risen to around 300,000. Salah's contract includes a 20 percent share of any 'Salah 10' merchandise sold. The club is also promoting tourism, with direct charter flights from Cairo to Trabzon now operating.
Salah arrived in Trabzon on Wednesday to a crowd of 25,000 fans. He expressed his surprise and gratitude for the reception, stating, "There are 25,000 people here; I don't remember ever seeing anything like this before. Seeing such love and attention makes me very happy."
Despite the enthusiasm, some figures, like former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, have found the move to Turkey unexpected for a player of Salah's caliber. However, for Salah, the move represents an opportunity to "feel the love again" for the next two years in a city where fans are expected to show strong support. The club and its fans hope this high-profile signing will lead to success on the field and elevate Trabzon's international profile.