Sports Correspondent
Thousands of Trabzonspor supporters gave Mohamed Salah a hero’s welcome on August 5, with an estimated 25,000 fans gathering at Trabzon Airport to greet the Egyptian forward as he arrived at the Turkish club.
Supporters packed the airport, chanting Salah’s name and setting off red flares. The celebrations continued at Papara Park, where tens of thousands gathered for his official unveiling.
The extraordinary scenes underlined what the transfer means to Trabzon, where football and Trabzonspor are central to the city’s identity.
“I am seeing a reception like this for the first time in my life,” Salah told supporters at the unveiling.
“I came here to win trophies. I am here to bring titles to this club.”
The 34-year-old former Liverpool star has signed a two-year contract until June 2028, choosing Trabzonspor despite reported interest from clubs in Istanbul, Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer.
His arrival is a major coup for a club that has long challenged the dominance of Istanbul’s Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
Trabzon has a strong football identity, with Trabzonspor at its centre, unlike many Turkish cities where supporters tend to follow Istanbul’s major clubs.
Trabzonspor’s success is closely tied to the identity of the city and wider Black Sea region. The club won the Turkish league title in 2021-22 and remains a leading challenger to Istanbul’s dominance.
The welcome showed the strength of that bond.
His arrival has put Trabzon in the international spotlight. The city is seeking to strengthen its position in maritime trade, tourism and logistics, while Salah’s profile has brought new global attention to the region.
The financial impact has been immediate. Trabzonspor sold more than 17,000 season tickets within 24 hours of Salah’s arrival, generating a reported €15 million. The club expects ticket, sponsorship and merchandise revenue during the “Salah era” to approach €30 million.
Salah’s contract is reportedly worth €17 million a season, including salary and a guaranteed signing payment, plus performance-related bonuses. Trabzonspor hopes his arrival will help the club compete for domestic and European honours.
Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season and won the Turkish Cup. The club must now win the Europa League qualifying play-offs to reach the competition’s league phase.
The squad has also been strengthened by the signings of Valencia defender Cenk Özkacar and Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana. The club has also reportedly shown interest in Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez.
The challenge will be substantial this season, with Galatasaray seeking a fifth consecutive league title while Fenerbahce and Besiktas strengthen their squads.
Salah’s arrival gives Trabzonspor a world-class star as the club aims to challenge Turkey’s leading clubs and compete in Europe.
The scenes at the airport and stadium showed the strong bond between Trabzon and its football club. Salah’s arrival has also brought international attention to the Black Sea city.
Trabzonspor hopes the biggest signing in its history can turn the excitement into trophies.
