Trabzonspor president says Mohamed Salah signing could boost tourism in Trabzon

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan says he persuaded Mohamed Salah to join the Turkish club by promising him the affection of the city and its supporters, and expects the Egypt forward’s arrival to increase tourism from Egypt.

Salah came on as a substitute in Trabzonspor’s opening Turkish league match, a 1-1 draw against Kasımpasa.

Speaking to ON Sport, Dogan said the city had embraced the former Liverpool player from the moment he arrived.

“Trabzon loves football and Salah’s arrival has created a wonderful atmosphere. He is loved by all the people of the city,” said Dogan.

The president said Salah had asked him during negotiations why he should agree to the move. Dogan told him that the forward would experience the passion and affection of Trabzon’s supporters for himself.

“I promised him that he would see the love and passion of the city and the fans. He saw that from the moment he arrived at the airport, where 25,000 supporters welcomed him,” Dogan said.

“He told me, ‘Thank you for bringing me here,’ because he found exactly what he had expected.”

Dogan also believes Salah’s presence could have an effect beyond football, with more Egyptian visitors expected to travel to Trabzon.

“We expect the number of tourists in Trabzon, especially Egyptian tourists, to increase after Salah joined us,” he said.

The Trabzonspor president added that negotiations had been more straightforward than he had anticipated, describing Salah and his agent as clear in their discussions.

“Persuading Salah was not as difficult as I expected. Salah and his agent were extremely clear during the negotiations,” Dogan said.

“Trabzonspor is one of the popular clubs in Turkey and represents a major city. We know that Egyptian fans support our team.”

Salah’s arrival has already made him a constant presence in the city, according to Dogan, who said local residents were captivated by the forward.

“The people of Trabzon wake up and go to sleep with the name Mohamed Salah,” he said.

Dogan described the signing as both a major sporting coup and a personal success, saying the club believed it had secured the best possible figure away from the pitch as well as one of the world’s leading players.

“We believe we have made a human signing by bringing in the best personality. He is one of the most important players in the world, and from his first day he created a beautiful atmosphere within the team,” he added.

The president also said Salah’s move had generated excitement across the Muslim world and could strengthen relations between Egypt and Turkey.

“Salah’s joining us has caused happiness throughout the Islamic world and will be a bridge bringing the Egyptian and Turkish peoples closer together,” Dogan said.

“Salah has made the city experience a state of passion and enthusiasm.”

Dogan concluded by inviting Egyptian supporters to visit Trabzon, watch Salah and Trabzonspor, and enjoy the city.

“We invite Egyptians to come and watch Salah and Trabzonspor and enjoy the city. Salah is entrusted to us and we will look after him well,” he said.