Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Gheorghe Hagi and the biggest transfers in Turkish football history
Turkish football has long been a stop-off for global stars nearing the end of their careers, so Mohamed Salah's move to Trabzonspor is not without precedent. The surprise really comes from the fact that he's not heading to Istanbul, specifically to Galatasaray or Fenerbahce. As the list below demonstrates, the Intercontinental Derby rivals have tended to be at the front of the queue for…
Turkish football has long served as a temporary residence for international stars nearing the end of their careers. While Istanbul's Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have traditionally attracted high-profile imports, Trabzonspor has recently become the unexpected recipient of Mohamed Salah, a global player. To underscore this point, a list of previous big transfers to Turkish football reveals that these superstars often make their mark in the Super Lig despite their advanced age. Let's delve into whether Salah can follow suit.
1. Gheorge Hagi joined Galatasaray from Barcelona for €3.75m. The Romanian had already established himself as a top European star when he transferred to Barcelona. In four years at Galatasaray, Hagi secured four consecutive league titles and two Turkish Cups, leading the team to the 2000 Uefa Cup final. Despite being sent off for a punch, Galatasaray triumphed through penalties – their first European trophy.
2. Victor Osimhen's move to Galatasaray from Napoli for €75m represents the highest transfer fee in Turkish football history. The Nigerian striker has netted 59 goals in two seasons, propelling Galatasaray to two league championships and a Turkish Cup. In the Champions League, he helped the team reach the last-16 last year.
3. Mohamed Salah's arrival at Trabzonspor, a surprise given his move from Liverpool, marks the most prominent foreign player to join the Turkish Super Lig. Despite not playing yet, Salah brings a stellar career to Turkish football, promising to live up to the expectations.
4. Wesley Sneijder transferred from Inter Milan to Galatasaray for €7.5m in 2013. Seen as past his prime, Sneijder rediscovered form in Turkey, winning two league titles and three cups as a beloved foreign player at Galatasaray.
5. Didier Drogba, former Chelsea and Chinese football star, moved to Galatasaray on a free transfer. Despite his age, Drogba became the centerpiece of a successful team, winning the league title in his first season and a Turkish Cup and Super Cup double in his second.
6. Nicolas Anelka, brought to Fenerbahce from Manchester City at 26, had a brief but memorable stint. He helped Fenerbahce win the league in 2005 and scored a memorable goal against Galatasaray the following season.
7. Roberto Carlos, arriving from Real Madrid for free, represented another case where a seasoned star found success in Turkey.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
