Turkey’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, has admitted she was disappointed after Egypt captain Mohamed Salah chose Trabzonspor instead of her preferred club, Besiktas.
Salah has joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract that will keep him at the Turkish club until the summer of 2028.
Goktas, a known Besiktas supporter, had publicly hoped Salah would move to the Istanbul club when reports linked the Egyptian forward with a transfer there. Besiktas are one of Trabzonspor’s fiercest rivals, making the player’s eventual destination particularly significant for the minister.
Speaking at an event, Goktas was asked about Trabzonspor securing the signing after she had previously expressed her support for a move to Besiktas.
“I feel disappointed,” she said. “Only a week ago we were talking about it, and it was said that Trabzonspor were close to signing him.”
Goktas nevertheless welcomed Salah’s arrival in Turkey and said his presence would be positive for the country, despite the player joining a rival club.
“At least he is coming to Turkey and will raise our flag,” she added. “Trabzonspor are ours and Besiktas are ours. May the best team win.”
She also said Salah was widely admired by Turkish supporters and offered him her best wishes ahead of his time with Trabzonspor.
“The Turkish people adore Salah,” Goktas said. “We had hoped that he would wear the Besiktas shirt, but he has now put on the Trabzonspor shirt. We hope that his path will be open and that he will perform well here.”
Salah was presented as a Trabzonspor player wearing the number 10 shirt alongside club president Ertugrul Dogan. The unveiling ceremony attracted widespread attention across the international football community.
The move brings the Egypt captain to Turkish football on a free transfer and marks the latest stage of his career. His contract is set to run for two seasons, with his service at Trabzonspor scheduled to continue through to the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
Goktas had voiced her preference for Salah’s move to Besiktas just one week before the transfer was confirmed. Her latest comments underline the rivalry between the two Turkish clubs, while also reflecting the excitement surrounding the arrival of a player who commands strong support among football fans in Turkey.
Although she had wanted Salah to join Besiktas, the minister said she would support his success in Turkey after his decision to become a Trabzonspor player.
