Mohamed Salah has taken up residence in the Trabzon property formerly occupied by ex-Super Eagles striker Anthony Nwakaeme following his move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan confirmed the arrangement while dismissing speculation about the accommodation provided for the Egyptian star.
According to Dogan, the club has several properties available for its players, with Salah now staying in the same house Nwakaeme previously called home.
“We currently have some houses in Trabzon that we’ve arranged for, let me put it this way: For example, the house he’s staying in now is the same house Nwakaeme used to stay in,” Dogan said, in quotes relayed by Fanatik.
Dogan explained that the property is one of several houses and villas maintained by the club for its players, insisting that Salah’s accommodation was not unusual.
“There are about seven to eight houses there, villas, standard. Certain images are circulating, but there’s no big fuss about it. I don’t know where else in Trabzon such a house exists; I don’t even know if one exists,” he added.
Nwakaeme had two spells with Trabzonspor and established himself as a popular figure among the club’s supporters. He departed at the end of last season after ending his playing career with the club.
The 37-year-old helped Trabzonspor win the Turkish Cup in May before retiring, after which the club offered him a scouting position.
Meanwhile, Salah’s arrival at Trabzonspor could also prove beneficial to fellow Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu, with former Trabzonspor striker Emre Gural predicting that the Egyptian’s presence could create more opportunities for the Super Eagles star.
“Paul Onuachu will now receive the ball in a much different way and create different positions. Onuachu will create more space because the opposing team’s players will focus on Mohamed Salah,” Gural told Turkiyegazetesi.
“If he finds a little more space thanks to Salah, he can score many different goals. A player like Salah is a plus for any team.”
Onuachu enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, finishing as the Turkish Super Lig’s joint top scorer with 22 goals alongside Istanbul Basaksehir’s Eldor Shomurodov.
The Nigerian will now look to build an effective partnership with Salah as Trabzonspor seek to challenge for honours in the new season.
