Mohamed Salah chose Trabzonspor — the first big star to reject Istanbul for the Black Sea

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Never before has a big name rejected Istanbul for Trabzon, but former Liverpool striker was offered more than riches

It began with a text sent during the World Cup. Ertugrul Dogan, the president of Trabzonspor, was watching Egypt when he picked up his phone and messaged his manager, Fatih Tekke. “Coach,” it read. “Do you want Mohamed Salah?”

Tekke’s response was immediate enthusiasm, though Trabzonspor’s initial push for Salah went under the radar. For weeks, Besiktas looked most likely to land the former Liverpool striker. In Turkish football, Istanbul’s Big Three – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas – have long held a financial and cultural monopoly on the Süper Lig’s marquee signings.

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