Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has revealed how the Turkish club secured the signing of Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah after negotiations with Besiktas broke down.
Salah joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer from Liverpool, signing a two-year contract in what Dogan described as a major deal for the club and Turkish football.
The Trabzonspor president said the club had been interested in Salah for some time, but temporarily stepped away from the negotiations after learning that Besiktas were in discussions with the Egypt international.
Once Besiktas withdrew from the deal, Trabzonspor moved quickly to secure the former Liverpool star, with Dogan also highlighting the contribution of Egypt international Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet in persuading Salah to make the move.
Speaking to Turkish broadcaster TRT Spor, Dogan said Salah was viewed not only as an important addition to the team’s squad but also as a potential role model for the club’s younger players.
Trabzonspor waited for Besiktas talks to end
Dogan said Trabzonspor had been considering a move for Salah long before negotiations reached their decisive stage.
However, the club chose not to interfere when it discovered that Besiktas were negotiating with the player.
“When we learned that Besiktas was negotiating with Salah, we stopped any move out of respect for Trabzonspor’s traditions, and we told his agent to inform us if anything new came up.”
That approach changed when Besiktas abandoned their pursuit.
Dogan said Trabzonspor immediately intensified its efforts and sent the club’s vice-president abroad to meet directly with those involved in the negotiations.
“As soon as Besiktas announced its withdrawal from the deal and negotiations stopped, we intervened strongly and quickly, and we sent the club’s vice president abroad to hold direct meetings, and it took about 5 or 6 days to settle everything.”
The Trabzonspor president acknowledged that the club faced significant competition because other sides were prepared to offer Salah more money.
He said financial incentives alone would not have been enough to persuade the Egyptian to choose Trabzonspor.
Dogan’s message to Salah
According to Dogan, the club instead focused on explaining what Salah could experience in Trabzon and the special relationship between the city and its football club.
He recalled a conversation in which Salah questioned why he should choose Trabzonspor when other clubs could offer more financially.
“I told Salah clearly, of course you will get your money, but money is not everything. He asked me: Why should I come to Trabzon? I replied that we may agree or disagree on the details, but here in Trabzon you will see a love and attention that you have never seen in your whole life.”
Trabzonspor then showed Salah videos of the club’s previous championship celebrations as part of its efforts to demonstrate the passion surrounding the team.
The club also explained the history of Trabzon and its deep connection with football.
Those efforts were intended to convince Salah that the move offered more than a financial opportunity.
Trezeguet played key role
Dogan also singled out Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, who previously played for Trabzonspor, for his contribution to the negotiations.
The Turkish club president said the Egyptian winger remained in regular contact with Salah and provided him with information about both the club and the city.
“Trezeguet had a great contribution, he was in constant contact with Salah and explained everything to him about the club and the city. The presence of a player from his country who had previously shone here was a decisive factor, which made the negotiations go very smoothly with the player’s lawyer.”
Trezeguet’s previous experience at Trabzonspor meant he could provide Salah with a perspective from someone who had already lived and played in the city.
Dogan believes that connection helped the negotiations progress smoothly and contributed to Salah eventually accepting the Turkish club’s proposal.
Salah receives huge welcome
Salah’s arrival in Turkey was followed by a major reception from Trabzonspor supporters.
Dogan said the Egyptian was greeted enthusiastically after arriving in Istanbul before receiving an equally passionate welcome in Trabzon.
“Salah saw love from the moment he arrived in Istanbul and then in Trabzon… I don’t think football history has ever witnessed a reception for a player of this magnitude, as well as his autograph ceremony at the stadium.”
The president said the reaction from supporters made a strong impression on Salah.
“After this reception, Salah turned to us and said: ‘It’s good that you brought me here.’ He has an amazing professional mentality, and he talks to the young players constantly to be a real role model for them.”
For Trabzonspor, the signing represents far more than the arrival of an experienced attacker. The club believes Salah can contribute on the pitch while also providing an example for its younger players.
His two-year contract now begins a new chapter in the Egyptian forward’s career and gives Trabzonspor one of the most high-profile signings in Turkish football during the current summer transfer window.
