Mohamed Salah has moved into Anthony Nwakaeme’s former house in Trabzon, Turkey, after joining Trabzonspor. The club president revealed the unusual connection as Salah begins his new chapter in Turkish football.
TRABZON, TURKEY — Mohamed Salah has moved into the same house formerly occupied by ex-Super Eagles forward Anthony Nwakaeme after completing his move to Turkish club Trabzonspor, the club’s president, Ertuğrul Doğan, has revealed. The disclosure came on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as Salah settles into life in Trabzon.
Doğan explained that Trabzonspor keeps several houses and villas in the city for its players, dismissing speculation that the club arranged something unusual for its new Egyptian signing. According to the president, Salah’s current accommodation simply happens to be the same property where Nwakaeme previously lived during his time with the Turkish club.
The revelation gives Salah’s arrival an unexpected Nigerian connection because Nwakaeme remains one of the most respected foreign players in Trabzonspor’s history. The 37-year-old Nigerian spent two spells with the club, from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026, and helped the side win major domestic trophies during his time in Turkey.
Doğan said Trabzonspor has about seven or eight houses available for players and described the properties as standard villas. He also played down images and reports circulating about Salah’s accommodation, making it clear that the club sees the arrangement as routine rather than something that deserves major attention.
Salah joined Trabzonspor after ending his long spell at Liverpool and moving to Turkey for the next stage of his career. The Egyptian forward arrived in Trabzon earlier this month after the Turkish club announced negotiations, before completing the move that has attracted major attention across European and African football.
For Nigerian football followers, however, the house story has added a small but interesting link between two African forwards who have made their mark at Trabzonspor. Nwakaeme became a fan favourite in the city, while Salah arrives with a global reputation built during his successful years at Liverpool and with the Egyptian national team.
Nwakaeme’s relationship with Trabzonspor extends beyond his playing career. In May, Doğan confirmed that the club had offered the former Super Eagles forward a scouting role focused on African talent after he ended his playing career. The proposal reflected the club’s desire to retain his football knowledge and his connections across the continent.
The Nigerian played a major role in Trabzonspor’s historic 2021/22 Turkish Super Lig title triumph. He scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 30 league appearances that season, helping the club end a 38-year wait for the championship. Trabzonspor later honoured his contribution with a bronze statue near the club’s stadium, underlining his standing among supporters.
Nwakaeme also finished his second spell with Trabzonspor by helping the club win the 2026 Turkish Cup. The victory over Konyaspor in May marked the final major assignment of his playing career, while the club subsequently discussed keeping him involved through its scouting structure.
Salah’s arrival could also have direct consequences for another Nigerian player at Trabzonspor, Paul Onuachu. Former Trabzonspor forward Emre Gural said Salah’s presence could create more space for the Super Eagles striker because opponents would likely pay close attention to the Egyptian star.
Onuachu enters the new season after finishing the previous Turkish Super Lig campaign as joint top scorer with 22 goals. Gural believes Salah’s movement and attacking threat could change the way opponents defend Trabzonspor, potentially giving Onuachu more opportunities around the box.
That connection makes Salah’s move worth watching from a Nigerian perspective. While the Egyptian star will attract most of the attention, Onuachu could benefit on the pitch, while Nwakaeme may continue influencing the club from a different position if he accepts the proposed scouting role. The three developments give Trabzonspor a strong Nigerian football link.
Newstridez reviewed the available statements surrounding the accommodation and found no indication that Trabzonspor gave Salah a special property outside its existing player housing arrangements. The club president’s comments instead point to a straightforward situation: Salah has taken over a residence previously used by a former Nigerian star who left a lasting mark on the club.
For Salah, attention will now shift from where he is living to what he produces on the pitch. Trabzonspor will expect the Egyptian forward to bring goals, experience and global attention as the club targets success in the new campaign. For Nigerian supporters, Onuachu’s partnership with Salah and Nwakaeme’s possible new role remain two developments to watch closely.
