The transfer of Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah to Trabzonspor marks a turning point in Turkish-Egyptian sports co-operation, Turkish Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen told The Gazette.
“Salah is a world star, and the whole football world was following his next move,” Şen said, referring to speculation linking the forward with Besiktas, Saudi Arabia and European clubs.
“But in the end, I think he chose where his heart lies,” the ambassador said, adding that the move appeared to be about more than financial compensation.
Şen said Salah and his family had wanted to play in Türkiye, which he described as a “second home” for many Egyptians.
“He loves Türkiye, and I am sure he has friends here and enjoys socialising with Turkish people,” he said. “Trabzonspor fans are extremely warm and motivated.”
The ambassador also highlighted Trabzonspor’s history as one of Türkiye’s most successful clubs outside Istanbul. The team became the first club from Anatolia to win the Süper Lig in the 1970s and defeated English club Liverpool 1-0 in Trabzon in 1976.
“Trabzonspor is not an Istanbul team, but it is extremely competitive and has a long history of winning championships,” Şen said.
He expressed confidence that Salah would make a lasting impact on Turkish football.
“I wish him well, and I am confident that he will play extraordinarily, as he did at Liverpool, and leave his mark on the history of Turkish football,” Sen said.
“Hopefully, he will end his career in the Turkish Süper Lig and enjoy a peaceful and happy life with his family in Türkiye, his second home.”
