The entire Arab public is paying attention to Turkey this weekend as the 2026–2027 Super League season kicks off. The central event of this start is the official debut of Mohamed Salah with the club Trabzonspor.
The entire Arab public is paying attention to Turkey this weekend as the 2026–2027 Super League season kicks off. The central event of this start is the official debut of Mohamed Salah with the club Trabzonspor.
After a long period of speculation, Egyptian football fans are eagerly awaiting when the national team captain will wear the Trabzonspor jersey in an official tournament. Trabzonspor begins its campaign on Saturday at 19:00 Cairo time, playing against Kayserispor.
This match marks the beginning of what many hope will be a transformative stage for both the Black Sea club and the Egyptian star, who aims to make an immediate impact in Turkish football. Although the new Super League season officially starts on Friday evening at 21:30 with the champions Galatasaray versus Çorum, the game in Trabzon on Saturday remains the main event for the regional audience.
The match between Trabzonspor and Kayserispor will take place this Saturday, with the start scheduled for 19:00 Cairo time. Viewers in the MENA region can watch the game live on the beIN Sports 2 channel, and the commentary will be provided by the well-known commentator Issam Shawali.
Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club Trabzonspor this week, causing a stir on social media across the country.
It is reported that the 'Egyptian King' will receive a transfer bonus of 5 million euros ($5.6 million USD) and a guaranteed annual salary of 17 million euros ($19.6 million USD), totaling 39 million euros ($45 million USD). Media also indicates that he will receive a 20% share of future jersey sales bearing his name. The club Trabzonspor has not publicly commented on the details of the deal.
Salah arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday morning wearing a Trabzonspor jersey with his name and number 10. In a pre-recorded video shot aboard his private jet, he repeated the club's motto: 'For us, everywhere is Trabzon.'
Later, he was met by a large crowd of Trabzonspor fans in Istanbul, where he joined the fans in songs and slogans. Some fans chanted takbir, calling upon God's name, as he left the airport. Fans chanted: 'Ya Allah, Bismillah (in the name of God), Mohamed Salah.'
Trabzonspor is the fourth-largest football club in Turkey and is based in the Black Sea province that gives it its name. The club officially announced the transfer on Tuesday through an official statement. It also published a short animation depicting a giant pyramid near the Black Sea, surrounded by extensive forest.
Trabzon is particularly popular among tourists from Gulf and Arab countries in the summer due to its lush green hills and impressive natural landscapes.
Salah's arrival in Turkey attracted the attention of fans of rival clubs. A Galatasaray fan was spotted at the meeting ceremony but later had to remove his jersey. During a live broadcast involving Beşiktaş fans, one fan was clearly heard shouting: 'Salah has arrived!' and celebrating the news.
The excitement surrounding Salah began several days earlier amid rumors that Trabzonspor was negotiating his transfer. Earlier this week, a truck displaying videos and memes featuring the footballer drove through Trabzon.
This transfer was widely seen as a surprise after Salah's successful nine-year career at Liverpool. He had been a free agent since leaving the club in the summer. Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, the Egyptian star has scored 257 goals in 442 matches and won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup, cementing his status as a club legend.
The architects of such a significant transfer have also become a subject of discussion. Some commentators pointed to Berat Albayrak, the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is also from Trabzon. Others named former Minister of Transport Adil Karaismailoğlu. There were also widespread speculations about how this acquisition was financed. Many social media users suggested that the deal became possible thanks to sponsorships from the Turkish electric vehicle manufacturer Togg, Turkish Airlines, and the telecommunications provider Turkcell. Salah is expected to fly to Trabzon later that day.
