Trabzonspor president says Mohamed Salah chose ‘passion and love’ over money

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan says Mohamed Salah could have earned around four times more elsewhere but chose the Turkish club because he wanted to experience the “passion and love” surrounding his arrival.

Salah signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor on Thursday morning and was presented to supporters at a major event at the club’s stadium later that evening.

Dogan said the club did not win the race for the former Liverpool forward by offering the highest financial package.

“How did we convince Mohamed Salah? We did not convince him with money. You cannot convince a player like Salah with money,” Dogan told reporters. “We were together last night, and he showed me a contract that was probably four times what we offered him.”

He added: “Salah’s desire was to live this excitement and this love, and he also spoke to several of his friends. I would like to stress that our former player Trezeguet played a positive role in this deal, and he did not receive any negative impressions about the club.”

Egypt international Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet previously played for Trabzonspor before returning to Al Ahly, from whom he recently departed. He is close to completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Riyadh.

“From our point of view, we made a big offer, but for Mohamed Salah it was an offer he could receive anywhere,” Dogan said. “I think he showed that feeling on the pitch today as well. We reached an agreement with Mohamed Salah within four or five days.”

Trabzonspor said Salah will receive an annual salary of 10m euros, along with a 7m-euro signing-on bonus, taking his guaranteed total payment to 17m euros.

The contract also contains financial incentives linked to the player’s performances during the agreement. Salah will receive 20% of the income from official merchandise released in his name, while his agent’s commission is 5%, according to the published contract details.

Dogan said the club hoped Salah’s experience would benefit its younger players and help raise Trabzonspor’s profile in Turkey and Europe.

“We are working to integrate experienced players, such as Mohamed Salah, with our young players, and we want to take Trabzonspor to the best possible place in Europe and in the league,” he said.

“We are now in a more comfortable financial position and will take better steps. Mohamed Salah will certainly play a major role in promoting the city of Trabzon, as we saw tonight.”

Dogan also praised the scale of the presentation ceremony, saying: “We held an exceptional presentation ceremony, an event that neither Turkey nor Europe in general has seen anything like for many years.”

He added: “Mohamed Salah is a global star and his career speaks for itself. He will achieve great success with us. I attended today’s training session and the atmosphere was extremely positive.”

“Salah is a professional player, and he is surrounded by a large team of staff. We will discuss everything with them, as all of this contributes to promoting the club and the entire city,” Dogan said.

Salah thanked supporters for the reception at his unveiling.

“I have never experienced anything like this in my life. I thank everyone who welcomed me in this way,” he said.

“I am here to win, and I will give everything I have to achieve victories with this club. Thank you for this affection. I am very excited to begin this adventure.”

Salah also said: “Over the past two days, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to you for this wonderful welcome.”

He added: “I am extremely happy to be here and thank everyone. I would also like to thank the club president for his support and confidence.”

Salah spent nine seasons with Liverpool before moving to Trabzonspor, making 315 appearances for the club, scoring 257 goals and providing 120 assists.