Amedspor will not soon forget the drama that unfolded just days before the start of the season. One of the club's biggest stars last season during its historic promotion to Turkey's top division was Dia Saba. Along with only four other players, Saba remained with the squad for its top-flight campaign. However, it has now emerged that right before the season kicked off, the midfielder almost found himself out of the club or, more accurately, almost walked out himself.
Saba joined the Turkish side last season, but his preferred No. 10 jersey was taken. The player bit his tongue, but at the end of the season, when the shirt became available, he went straight to the kit management staff, who promised him, "No one will touch this number except you."
Days passed, Samuel Balla signed with the club, and Saba realized that the new star's contract included a clause granting him the No. 10 shirt. The Israeli looked into the matter, understood he would not receive the jersey, and decided to throw a fit. "I am not coming to play, you can leave me out of the squad," the midfielder dropped as a bombshell in a conversation with the technical staff, with no amount of pleading proving sufficient.
Eventually, the player's agents stepped in. Following a campaign of persuasion, Saba agreed to take the pitch, though he made clear the issue was far from forgotten. The midfielder scored a brace on opening day and celebrated by gesturing the number 10 with both hands. If anyone assumed he was signaling the match score, Saba made sure to emphasize to everyone who asked, as well as those who did not, that he was pointing to number 10 - the number he felt belonged on his back.
Since then, Saba has become the biggest talent at the club, and the celebration has remained unchanged. The club president has already issued a public apology for how Saba was treated and even held a personal conversation with the midfielder in recent weeks to apologize again. Saba agreed to forgive, but those who know the midfielder understand that while he may have forgiven, he certainly has not forgotten, and the celebration has continued in recent matches.
Long before the jersey number incident, Saba was introduced to a new manager, one who wanted to succeed on a grand scale in Turkey and was likely thinking of far bigger names. While the club initially hoped to land higher-profile players than Saba, reality - and particularly the Israeli midfielder's early training sessions under the Albanian manager who arrived from Belgium - brought about a shift in mindset.
The coach saw Saba and was immediately impressed, quickly making him a favorite. Sources familiar with the details note that while there was no single conversation where the manager officially handed over the reins to the player, it became clear after just a few practice sessions that Saba had become the player closest to the coach. Consultations, unlimited playing time as long as the midfielder did not ask to be substituted, and above all, a shared footballing philosophy created a strong bond between the two. This dynamic played a significant role in Saba stepping back from his threat to walk away, allowing him to shine on the pitch instead.
Yet it was not only the manager who took a liking to the midfielder. While Saba was already popular at Amedspor last season, this year he has become one of the most famous and beloved figures in the city. Walking through the Turkish city and the Kurdish region with the midfielder has become nearly impossible, as he is stopped at every turn with requests for photos.
Things reached a point where Saba, who regularly dines at the Ali Baba restaurant, realized he could no longer do so normally. The owner, a fan himself, now ushers him through a side door into a private room hidden from other diners, allowing the player to step out of his house in peace.
When it comes to housing, Saba appears to be settling into life in Turkey. Last season, the midfielder stayed in a hotel for the entire campaign. However, after establishing himself as one of the leading players in the Turkish league at the start of this season, Saba reconsidered his living situation and has just moved from the hotel into a private villa.
If there is one thing making life difficult for the midfielder, it is his family. Saba's family lives in Dubai, and despite frequent mutual visits, the fact that he is not with them every day is perhaps the only shadow over the finest stretch of his career.
Saba will now look to maintain his impressive run in Turkey amid emerging chatter that one of the country's top clubs may try to acquire him next season. However, any club wishing to do so will likely need to dig deep into its pockets to compensate Amedspor handsomely. Although Saba's contract expires at the end of the season, it contains an automatic renewal clause for an additional season if he completes 30 appearances this year.
As things stand, the player is expected to feature in every match this season as long as he remains fit, which will likely trigger the contract extension and force the top clubs to fight for his services.