Set on the Black Sea near Turkey’s northeastern border with Georgia, Trabzon has about 800,000 residents—well outside the country’s 20 largest cities. Still, Dogan believes it’s exceptional. He often describes Trabzonspor and its home as “the biggest one-club city in the world.” When Mohamed Salah asked why he should choose Trabzonspor, Dogan’s team pointed to the city and its supporters, promising a fanbase unlike any he’d experienced—one defined by genuine, heartfelt devotion.
A Trabzon native born in January 1977, Dogan built his wealth through ventures in real estate and hazelnuts before moving into energy, specializing in biofuels. He became Trabzonspor’s president in 2023, soon after the club’s standout 2021–22 title-winning season. Under his leadership, the Black Sea Storm have finished third, seventh, and third in the Super Lig. Last season they captured the Turkish Cup with coach Fatih Tekke and are now pushing for a Europa League spot, despite a 1–0 home loss in the first leg of their play-off against Hungary’s Ferencvaros.
Dogan says the aim is to make both Trabzonspor and the city a destination for talented young players worldwide—developing them to move on to Europe’s top clubs—while blending them with marquee professionals whose lifestyles, professionalism, smiles, and positive energy set the standard. He cites Mohamed Salah as a prime example.