Salah stunned by Trabzonspor welcome as former Liverpool star vows to win

Mohamed Salah said he had “never experienced anything like this” after thousands of Trabzonspor supporters gathered to welcome him to the Turkish club.

The Egypt international was greeted by huge crowds at the airport and later at Papara Stadium, where the reception continued with fireworks, a spectacular light show and an atmosphere that extended beyond the ground’s 40,000-capacity stands.

Salah, 34, then took part in a familiar Turkish football tradition, leading the supporters in chants by raising and moving his hand. The response from the crowd was deafening before he addressed his new fans at a news conference.

“I wish I could speak Turkish, but I cannot. So let me express what I feel: I have never experienced anything like this,” Salah said with a broad smile.

“You showed me incredible love yesterday and today. Thank you very much to everyone. I am incredibly happy. I am here to win.”

The scale of the welcome also surprised Salah’s sister, Rabab Salah, who followed the celebrations involving her brother.

“It’s been a long time since I watched a Turkish series. I think I’m going to start again,” she wrote on social media.

The transfer has attracted considerable attention in Turkey, with local media reporting on how Trabzonspor secured the forward’s signature.

According to Fanatik, the move began at the most recent World Cup, when Salah and Egypt came close to producing a major upset against Argentina in the last 16.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan is reported to have asked head coach Fatih Tekke: “Do you want Salah, coach?”

Tekke apparently needed little time to consider the proposal, prompting the launch of what became known as “Operation Salah”.

Several clubs were interested in the attacker, including Trabzonspor’s Turkish rivals Besiktas. Once Trabzonspor became aware of the competition for his signature, the club made an immediate offer and negotiations moved quickly.

Salah was soon won over by Trabzon and, according to reports in the Turkish media, had one particular ambition for the next stage of his career: to play in a Muslim country.

His first opportunity to appear in a competitive match for Trabzonspor will come on Saturday, 15 August, when the club begin their new Super Lig campaign away at Kasımpasa.

He could make his home debut five days later, on Thursday, 20 August, when Trabzonspor are scheduled to play at Papara Stadium.

The club will then compete in the play-offs for a place in the UEFA Europa League. Their opponent for that tie has not yet been confirmed.