Trabzonspor Says Ticket Sales Covered Most of Salah's First-Year Salary

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan says season-ticket sales made immediately after Mohamed Salah's arrival covered nearly 70% of the forward's salary for his first year. BBC Sport reported that the former Liverpool player signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club and was presented to about 35,000 supporters at Papara Park.

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Dogan told BBC Sport Africa and BBC Turkish that Salah will earn €17 million per year and receive 20% of sales of merchandise carrying his name. The president said the club initially targeted 25,000 season-ticket sales but now expects to pass 30,000 after the response to the signing.

According to Dogan, the club covered close to 70% of Salah's first-year salary through season tickets sold in the first four or five days following the announcement. He also said companies in Turkey, Europe and the Arab world had contacted Trabzonspor about potential commercial involvement, although no figures or completed agreements were reported.

The negotiations moved quickly once Trabzonspor was able to begin formal discussions. Dogan said the club had pursued Salah since the World Cup but waited while he spoke with other teams. He described an initial meeting by video call, further remote talks while Salah was on holiday in Mykonos, and a process that took about five or six days to conclude.

Trabzonspor brought Salah to Istanbul for his medical, where thousands of supporters greeted him at the airport. The 34-year-old made his competitive debut as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 league draw at Kasimpasa on August 15. At the time of the BBC report, he was expected to make his home league debut on Sunday.

The transfer follows Salah's nine seasons with Liverpool, during which he scored 191 Premier League goals. Trabzonspor are seeking another high finish after placing third, seventh and third in the Turkish Super Lig during Dogan's presidency. The club also won the Turkish Cup last season and, when the report was published, was attempting to reach the Europa League despite a 1-0 home defeat by Ferencvaros in the first leg of their playoff tie.