Reports indicate the deal also grants the Egyptian forward a share of revenue generated from his personal merchandise sales, meaning he is entitled to a portion from the initial sales wave.
The move marks a major shift for the Turkish club, which secured the forward following the end of his contract with Liverpool after previous reports pointed toward a potential transfer to Besiktas. The acquisition quickly captivated the city of Trabzon, where supporters lined up (lined up in front of the ticket outlet in Trabzon Square Garden) to secure seats for the upcoming campaign, creating a historic and extremely crowded rush for tickets.
Commercial Frenzy and Jersey Sales Surge
The economic impact of the transfer materialized almost immediately across the club’s official retail network.
That two-day total eclipsed normal sales expectations entirely. Internal sources reported that the volume of shirt sales typically achieved over about a month and a half was recorded in just two days following the announcement of the Egyptian star’s transfer. Daily visitor traffic at TS Club retail locations surged to roughly 20 times normal baseline levels.
The overwhelming demand created immediate logistical hurdles for the club’s supply chain. With the manufacturer expected to open an additional production line to keep up with orders for the striped shirt, the club implemented a single ready-made template for printing the player’s name on the back of the jersey rather than preparing the name separately for each request to accelerate fulfillment.
Marketing Strategy and Retail Balances
Supporters flooded team shops asking for the Egyptian forward’s name on the back of their jerseys, with website 61saat noting that out of every 100 jerseys sold by Trabzonspor fans, about 95 carry the name Mohamed Salah while the remaining five owners write their personal names. The club’s fans almost never request other players’ names.
After accounting for the player’s cut of merchandise revenue, the initial sales announced by the channel after deducting the player’s percentage amount so far, covering more than 55% of Mohamed Salah’s basic salary.
Football World Reacts to the Transfer
Former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard offered strong praise for the forward, stating that the player possesses a strong personality and a competitive mentality that makes him capable of succeeding in his new experience. Speaking to Turkish media outlets, Gerrard emphasized that Salah’s great capabilities and experience can represent a strong addition to the Turkish team, noting that Trabzonspor fans showed great welcome and enthusiasm toward the player since his arrival.
Gerrard stated that any achievement Salah accomplishes with Trabzonspor will be exceptional, expressing great confidence in the Egyptian player’s abilities and noting that he enjoys a winning mentality and fights matches with a fighting spirit. Gerrard added that Trabzonspor will achieve great benefit from the Egyptian star’s presence, especially as his long experience in major competitions will grant him an important role within the team.
The arrival also drew chaotic scenes upon the player’s arrival in Istanbul on a private jet, where he appeared wearing a Trabzonspor shirt after reaching a final agreement with club management while awaiting the official announcement. From inside the plane, Salah sent a message to the club’s fans saying, Trabzon is everywhere,
pointing to his welcome of the new stage in his football career. Social media videos and photos also documented an incident where a number of Trabzonspor fans stripped a person wearing a Galatasaray shirt of his jersey during a fan gathering to welcome Mohamed Salah.
Season Opener and Upcoming Fixtures
Looking ahead to the pitch, Trabzonspor prepares to launch the 2026-2027 Turkish Süper Lig season. The team opens its campaign with a match against Kasimpasa on August 15 within the first round of the competition, with club fans eagerly awaiting Salah’s first appearance in the team’s shirt.
Worth a look
