The transfer machine in the Black Sea city is roaring louder than ever. Trabzonspor have already secured three new faces, but the drama is far from over. The club is now reportedly on the verge of completing a blockbuster fourth deal that could reshape their defensive line for seasons to come.

The Current Squad Additions

Let’s look at the board first. The club officially confirmed the permanent signing of Ernest Muçi, who impressed on loan from Beşiktaş last season. That was just the opening act. President Ertuğrul Doğan then announced the arrival of experienced Ukrainian playmaker Ruslan Malinovskyi, whose contract with Genoa had expired. Adding to the excitement, the club also brought in Thierry Karadeniz, a promising talent from the Köln academy. Doğan made no secret of his delight, stating that Malinovskyi will contribute significantly and confirming that Karadeniz has already put pen to paper.

The Benfica Connection

But the spotlight is now shifting to Lisbon. Reports suggest Trabzonspor have reached a formal agreement with Benfica for their dynamic right-back, Sidny Lopes Cabral. The Portuguese giants are set to receive a fee exceeding 10 million euros. The only hurdle remaining is the personal contract between the player and the Turkish club.

Cabral is not just another name on the list. The 23-year-old star has been in scintillating form, netting six goals and providing six assists in 28 appearances last season. He has already been called up to the Cape Verde national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. With a career path that includes stops at Estrela, Viktoria Köln, Rot-Weiss Erfurt, Helsingborg, and Twente, Cabral brings a wealth of experience and electric pace to the pitch. If this deal is finalized, Trabzonspor will have significantly bolstered their attack-minded defense.