Mohamed Salah chooses the Black Sea: how Trabzonspor won Africa’s biggest star
5 min read
Mohamed Salah’s transfer to Trabzonspor has captivated football fans worldwide, marking a significant moment in the career of one of the sport’s biggest stars. The Egyptian forward, who enjoyed an illustrious nine-season tenure at Liverpool, has chosen to continue his career in Turkey rather than opting for lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia or the United States.
The scale of Salah’s arrival at Trabzonspor has been unprecedented. Club president Ertugrul Dogan emphasized the emotional connection between the player and the club’s supporters, stating, “He’s the biggest Muslim footballer in the world. He’s an influential role model… We held Salah’s signing ceremony in front of 35,000 people.” This level of enthusiasm is reflective of Trabzonspor’s unique identity as a one-club city.
Why Trabzon, and why now
Dogan’s pitch to Salah was not solely based on football; it was also about the deep-rooted connection between the club and the city of Trabzon. With a population of around 800,000, Trabzon is a city where football is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Dogan recalled how Salah questioned the rationale behind choosing Trabzonspor, to which he responded by highlighting the passionate support Salah would receive, stating, “You can be sure you will meet a group of supporters unlike any you have experienced before.”
Negotiations progressed swiftly once both parties engaged seriously. Initial discussions took place over Zoom, followed by further talks while Salah was on holiday in Mykonos. The decision to conduct his medical in Istanbul was strategic, showcasing the warm reception he would receive across Turkey, not just in Trabzon.
The Liverpool departure: a reshaped map for African stardom
Salah’s departure from Liverpool signifies a pivotal moment in his career, challenging the conventional narrative that superstars often transition to leagues with less competitive intensity as they near the end of their careers. Dogan remarked that the attention surrounding Salah’s move “cannot easily be given a direct financial value,” indicating that the implications of this transfer extend beyond mere monetary considerations.
For African football, Salah’s move represents a significant shift. Dogan views Salah as a role model with a unique global reach, and his choice to join Trabzonspor rather than follow other stars to the Saudi Pro League or the United States underscores the potential for growth in African football’s visibility on the world stage.
Where Trabzonspor are aiming — and what Salah walks into
Since Dogan took over as president in 2023, Trabzonspor has experienced a resurgence, finishing third in the Super Lig and winning the Turkish Cup last season. The club’s immediate goal is to secure a spot in European group-stage football, although they face challenges after a 1-0 home defeat to Hungary’s Ferencvaros in the first leg of their Europa League play-off.
The roster build: young profit, senior profile
Trabzonspor has strategically aligned its squad construction to balance youth and experience. This off-season, the club sold promising young talents like Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao Oulai and Brazilian forward Felipe Augusto for substantial profits. New recruits from various countries have been brought in to replenish the squad, while the addition of seasoned players like Salah is intended to elevate the club’s profile.
Dogan’s vision is clear: he aims to make Trabzon and the club a destination for young talent. He believes that combining young players with established stars like Salah will create an environment conducive to success, both on and off the pitch.
How the deal got done — patience, then speed
Trabzonspor’s pursuit of Salah began as early as the World Cup, with the club aware of the competition for his signature. Dogan noted that there is an unwritten rule in Turkish football that clubs must wait if one is in negotiations. Once rivals withdrew from the race, Trabzonspor was able to engage in serious discussions, which progressed rapidly once both sides committed.
The timeline for the deal compressed significantly, with Dogan estimating it took about five or six days to finalize once discussions intensified. The choice to conduct Salah’s medical in Istanbul was both a logistical and symbolic decision, showcasing the overwhelming support he would receive from fans.
What success looks like for Salah and Trabzonspor
Success for Salah and Trabzonspor will be measured by domestic consistency and a strong showing in European competitions. With the team having finished third last season and won the Turkish Cup, expectations are high as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League play-off.
A different kind of late-career choice, read from Africa
Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor instead of pursuing a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia or the United States has raised eyebrows but also reflects a deeper narrative about his career. Dogan acknowledges that many assumed Salah would choose a more financially rewarding path, yet his choice signifies a commitment to a project that goes beyond mere name recognition.
From the perspective of African football, Dogan’s framing of Salah as an “influential role model” resonates strongly. As the most visible Muslim footballer of his generation, Salah’s move to Trabzonspor not only closes a chapter in the Premier League but opens a new stage at Papara Park, where the excitement surrounding his arrival is palpable.
The journey ahead for Salah and Trabzonspor is one that will be closely monitored, with fans from Cairo to Cape Town eager to see how this partnership unfolds.
The detail
Inside the numbers: why a transfer with “no direct return” still adds up
Dogan has been unusually transparent about the financials. He openly confirmed Salah will earn €17m per year and receive 20% of any merchandise bearing his name. On a straight-line calculation, the president admits “purely from a financial perspective, this transfer has no direct return as such.” But the early revenue signals explain why the risk profile is acceptable. Following the announcement, the club raised season ticket prices and nearly 70% of Salah’s first-year salary was covered by season-ticket sales in the first four to five days alone, according to Dogan. The initial target was 25,000 season tickets; expectations have now shifted beyond 30,000, with major companies contacting the club to join the “Salah-mania.” The logic is strategic more than transactional. A two-year horizon concentrates the commercial upside into a window where brand lift, global engagement and sponsor interest can be harvested alongside matchday income. Even if individual line items (shirt royalties, ticket surges) do not clear the wage bill, the aggregate effect — from higher baseline attendances to new partnerships in Turkey, Europe and the Arab world — can re-rate the club’s market position. That, in turn, supports the core model Dogan describes: develop and sell young talent at profit while a marquee name sustains attention and credibility.
Sources: Mohamed Salah: Inside his move to Trabzonspor (feeds.bbci.co.uk); The inside story of how Trabzonspor pulled off Salah deal (feeds.bbci.co.uk)
Images: Cover: Football Africa (illustration)
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