Trabzonspor have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of 24-year-old winger Aral Şimşir from Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland for an initial €13 million, plus €2 million in performance-related add-ons. The transfer marks a major investment by the Turkish club as they prepare for the upcoming season and European competition. Şimşir arrived in Trabzon on a private jet on Tuesday and immediately expressed his eagerness to begin playing.
He will join forces with Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, who scored 22 goals and provided two assists in 30 Turkish Super Lig appearances last season, finishing as the league's top scorer. Onuachu's move to Trabzonspor from Southampton last summer proved transformative, reigniting his goal-scoring form after limited minutes in England. Şimşir stated his ambition to contribute significantly, saying, "My first priority is to score goals and provide assists. I want to do the same in the national team."
The 24-year-old is comfortable playing as a number 10 or on the left wing, roles he believes will allow him to link effectively with Onuachu. He emphasized his determination to create chances for the Nigerian, adding, "I will do my best. I will do everything I can to help Onuachu score a goal." Trabzonspor's move for Şimşir signals their intent to build on last season's success, which included securing a spot in European competition thanks in large part to Onuachu's 22-goal haul.
Aral Şimşir's promise to assist Paul Onuachu stands in contrast to Trabzonspor's previous lack of consistent creativity for the striker. The €13 million fee places immediate pressure on Şimşir to deliver measurable output, not just intent. Onuachu's 22-goal season shows he can finish, but now he has a teammate publicly committed to feeding him chances. If Şimşir thrives in the number 10 or left-wing role, Trabzonspor's attack could become significantly more dynamic.
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