Mohamed Salah aims to turn Trabzonspor welcome into domestic and European success

Mohamed Salah said he had never experienced anything like the reception he received from Trabzonspor supporters after about 25,000 fans gathered at Trabzon Airport to welcome him to Turkey.

The Egypt captain appeared visibly astonished by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd, describing the scenes as “unbelievable” following his official arrival at the Turkish club.

Speaking to Turkish website 61saat, Salah said he was delighted to join Trabzonspor and wanted to repay the supporters by helping the club achieve success in both domestic competition and Europe.

“I am very happy to be in this amazing atmosphere. I do not remember seeing anything like this before, and words cannot describe how happy I am,” Salah said.

He later referred to the number of supporters waiting for him and said the welcome had exceeded anything he had experienced during his career.

“There are 25,000 people here. This is unbelievable. I have never seen anything like this. I have achieved success everywhere, and I want to achieve success with Trabzonspor as well, in the league and in Europe,” he added.

The scale of the reception underlined the excitement surrounding Salah’s arrival in Trabzon. Supporters gathered at the airport in large numbers, turning his first public appearance as a Trabzonspor player into a major event for the club and the city.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan thanked the fans for creating what he described as a historic scene and praised the status of the club’s new signing.

“Mohamed Salah is a global star. We thank the fans who came here. Our supporters have shown everyone how a global star should be welcomed,” Dogan said.

Salah’s arrival has generated attention beyond the usual interest in a new signing, with the club’s supporters presenting him as a figure whose reputation extends well beyond the teams and competitions in which he has played.

The reception also reflects the expectations now placed on the forward. After being welcomed by thousands of fans at the airport, Salah will be expected to transform that enthusiasm into performances and trophies once he begins playing for Trabzonspor.

For the supporters, the immediate focus will turn from the airport to the pitch. They hope the player they have greeted as the “Egyptian King” can help deliver success in the league while also making an impact in European competition.

Salah, meanwhile, has made clear that the extraordinary welcome has strengthened his desire to succeed with his new club. His first comments in Turkey combined personal emotion at the reception with an ambition to compete for honours on both fronts.