Romelu Lukaku became the latest big-name star to be greeted by a fanatical support after touching down in Turkey this week to complete a lucrative transfer.
Lukaku was decked out in Fenerbahce’s black and yellow striped kit as he chanted towards the fans who had come out to celebrate the new arrival.
The 33-year-old will officially be unveiled at a welcoming ceremony on Friday at their stadium, with supporters again invited to come out in their numbers.
Lukaku is far from the first this summer to go through the welcoming process, following Leandro Trossard, Nathan Ake, Mason Greenwood, Dusan Vlahovic and most notably Mohamed Salah in joining clubs in the Turkish top flight.
He looks unlikely to be the last either with Galatasaray having tabled a £38million offer for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli.
Daily Mail Sport, however, has reported that the 25-year-old Brazilian is not currently inclined to leave for Turkey.
Romelu Lukaku has signed for Fenerbahce, becoming the latest big name to move to the Turkish Super Lig
Mohamed Salah is the league’s headline addition this summer following his departure from Liverpool
While Turkey has typically been a regular landing spot for well-known players – particularly those entering the final years of their careers, the comparison has been made this summer to the swathes of talent that moved to the Saudi Pro League in recent years.
Lucrative contracts have clearly been a factor, something that was highlighted by Salah’s move to Trabzonspor.
‘Under the terms of the agreement, the player will receive a total guaranteed payment of €17,000,000 (£14.5m) per football season, comprising an annual salary of €10,000,000 (£8.5m) and a signing fee of €7,000,000 (£6m),’ Trabzonspor stated on a public disclosure platform.
‘Additionally, the player will receive performance-based bonuses for each football season.
‘Furthermore, under the image rights agreement, the player will receive a 20 per cent share of the revenue from products sold by our retail company that are specific to “Mohamed Salah.”
‘A payment amounting to five per cent of the gross remuneration payable to the player will be made as an agency fee.’
Salah is far from the only one, with former Juventus forward Vlahovic earning a guaranteed £6.4million-a-year over the next three seasons.
The finances are boosted further by Turkey’s tax environment, with players receiving an exemption meaning they are due to pay a base 20 per cent rate, compared to normal progressive rates.
Clubs have typically worked to handle these tax implications, with the income tax accounted for as part of their payroll.
As such, the Telegraph reported that the announced figures will be the players’ net pay, rather than gross pay that is subject to significant tax deductions.
Salah will earn £14.5m-a-year before bonuses after he signed for Trabzonspor
Dusan Vlahovic has also secured a lucrative contract, with players also benefiting from a favourable tax situation in Turkey
It is claimed this approach would lead to Salah taking home around £500,000-week, representing a sizeable increase on his wages while at Liverpool.
Daily Mail Sport reported last month that Turkish clubs have also made a concerted effort to ensure they can offer the best facilities and lifestyle to their new stars, ensuring they remain competitive with the likes of Saudi Arabia and MLS.
Galatasaray moved into a new 130-acre training facility last year which cost around £17.5m, alongside spending on upgrading their academy and other sports branches.
They have also invested in a private island in the middle of the Bosphorus Strait and turned it into an exclusive destination where players can enjoy parties and fine dining.
Besiktas moved into a fresh £86m stadium a decade ago and are planning to build a new training ground near Istanbul Airport.
They are currently saddled with debts of around £387m, as per their latest announcement, but hope to erase that via investment in a state-backed real estate project.
