Mohamed Salah’s Transfer Sparks Enthusiasm in Trabzonspor Fans
In August, Mohamed Salah made a memorable arrival in Istanbul after returning from his holiday in Mykonos, donning Trabzonspor’s burgundy and blue home kit as he was welcomed by thousands of fans. This kit quickly sold out. Later that day, as Salah traveled to Trabzon in northeastern Turkey to finalize one of football’s most surprising transfers, he inquired about what to wear. His entourage suggested he wear the same kit, but Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan recommended the black away kit, which also flew off the shelves.
Since his arrival in Trabzon, the excitement surrounding Salah has only intensified. “I went to the airport to see him in Istanbul, and it was surreal,” said Nisa Dumangoz. “I still can’t believe he is one of us.”
On any matchday, Salah’s face seems to be everywhere in Trabzon, even prominently featured inside local fishmongers. One staff member at the club shop humorously remarked that the ground floor is dedicated to the Egyptian striker, while the upper floor caters to everything else.
Outside the stadium, vendors sell an array of merchandise bearing Salah’s likeness, including scarves, magnets, and a variety of collectibles. The sale of season tickets surged following his signing.
“Walking around Trabzon feels like nine out of every ten fans sport Salah’s name on their backs,” stated Turkish football journalist Hasan Tuncel. The club has already exceeded last year’s merchandise revenue within three months following Salah’s transfer, while the local airport experiences increasing activity.
For many fans across the Arab world, traveling to Liverpool proved challenging due to ticket scarcity. In contrast, Trabzon offers better accessibility, with new flights added from Cairo, Dubai, and Riyadh since Salah’s signing.
Aboard a flight from Istanbul, an Egyptian family of ten traveling from Cairo for Trabzonspor’s UEFA Conference League match against Freiburg expressed their excitement. “He is our ambassador and our Egyptian King,” Mahmoud said, highlighting the influx of visitors drawn by Salah’s presence.
During the match, a group of Egyptian celebrities and influencers captured attention with a combined social media following of about five million, dwarfed by Salah’s 68 million. Salah’s visit to the Trabzon highlands for a hike led to the renaming of a local rock to Salahtasi (Salah’s Rock), which has since become a tourist attraction.
Beyond the commercial benefits, Salah has quickly made a significant impact on the pitch, contributing 10 goals and five assists in all competitions and helping Trabzonspor closely chase Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray by just three points after winning seven of their first ten matches.
Trabzonspor’s seven league titles pale compared to the 61 total won by Istanbul’s ‘big three’—Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas.
Kerim Tonyali from the Trabzonspor supporters’ group Gurbetci Gencler noted, “In Turkey, he is the biggest football star after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.” With Salah’s influence, Trabzonspor is becoming a secondary club for many fans in Turkey and the Muslim world.
Trabzon may be over 2,000 miles from Liverpool, but the city shares a similar sense of identity and pride. “Everywhere is Trabzon for us,” reflects the unity in this city of around 800,000 residents.
Financially, Salah benefits from approximately £14.6 million per year, plus 20% of official merchandise sales carrying his name. However, beyond finances, his move to Trabzonspor allows him to concentrate solely on football. Although he considered Besiktas after the 2026 World Cup, Salah felt Trabzonspor was the right fit for his career.
Residing in Yomra, he enjoys a comfortable lifestyle with his own security detail and the services of a private chef while maintaining his rigorous fitness standards.
Overall, Salah appears to be flourishing in his new environment. He embraces local culture, such as enjoying Turkish coffee and traditional yogurt drink Ayran, while keeping a low profile due to his fame.
Paul Onuachu from Trabzonspor remarked, “Everyone wants to work with a star like Mohamed Salah. He adds so much and helps all of us.” Observing Salah in action during a game against Freiburg, it is evident that while his pace may have slightly diminished, his technical skills and ability to create scoring chances remain intact.
With aspirations to compete in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, Salah feels he still has much to contribute for both club and country. While there are no firm decisions about his future in Turkey, sources suggest he might move to Saudi Arabia when his two-year contract with Trabzonspor concludes in 2028, when he will be 36.
Questions around Salah’s transfer from Liverpool linger, especially following his infamous mixed-zone interview at Elland Road less than a year prior. Anil Dincer, one of the lawyers involved in his transfer, recalled the emotional atmosphere upon their arrival in Trabzon.
As Salah continues to make his mark in Turkey, his time with Trabzonspor is not merely a conclusion to a great career but rather a new chapter driven by the desire to prove he remains among football’s elite.
