John Lundstram’s resurgence at Trabzonspor is a story of resilience, adaptability, and rediscovery after a challenging start to life in Turkish football. The former Rangers midfielder, who also featured for Everton and Sheffield United earlier in his career, admitted that his initial months at Trabzonspor were far from smooth. The departure of the manager who brought him to the club, followed by struggles to adapt to a new country, language, and footballing environment, created an uphill battle for the Liverpool-born 30-year-old. However, Lundstram has embraced the challenge and found his feet, becoming an integral part of Trabzonspor’s recent revival.
When Lundstram arrived at Trabzonspor in the summer of 2024, he did so alongside his former Ibrox teammate, Borna Barisic. But both players faced significant hurdles early on. A managerial change saw veteran coach Senol Gunes take over just weeks into the campaign, and the team looked disjointed and low on confidence. For Lundstram, moving away from the UK for the first time in his career compounded the challenges. He later admitted that the adaptation process was harder than he expected, particularly with the cultural differences and language barrier adding to the strain.
Yet, where Barisic has struggled to carve out a regular place in the team, Lundstram has risen to the occasion, demonstrating his versatility and professionalism. Under Gunes’ guidance, he transitioned into a ball-playing centre-back role, a position he had dabbled in during his time at Rangers under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. While primarily a midfielder by trade, Lundstram had occasionally been deployed in a back-three at Ibrox, where he showcased his ability to dictate play from deep and push forward into dangerous areas. Gunes has tapped into those skills, crafting a system where Lundstram thrives as a composed, confident presence in defence.
Lundstram’s impact has been particularly evident in recent weeks. He has played the full 90 minutes in each of Trabzonspor’s last 13 Super Lig matches, cementing his status as a key player. His performances have helped steady a team that was flirting with relegation earlier in the season. Now, following back-to-back emphatic victories—a 5-0 demolition of Antalyaspor and a 4-0 triumph over Sivasspor—Trabzonspor is climbing steadily into the top half of the table, showing the quality and confidence Gunes has instilled.
The victory over Sivasspor was a landmark moment for Lundstram, as he scored his first goal for the club in style. Striding forward from his defensive position, he curled a stunning strike into the top corner with his weaker left foot, capping off what was arguably his best performance in Turkish football to date. Reflecting on the match, Lundstram could hardly contain his delight. “First of all, I am very happy,” he beamed. “I am very happy for both scoring a goal and for the three points. Perhaps what makes me happier is to see the team getting better. Because our team is getting better week by week.”
His goal and commanding display epitomized the transformation he has undergone since arriving in Turkey. No longer the out-of-place new signing struggling to find his rhythm, Lundstram is now a cornerstone of Trabzonspor’s defence and a leader on the pitch. His willingness to adapt has been key to this turnaround. “The centre-back position is a position I have played before. I play wherever our coach needs me. It is not a big problem for me,” he explained. “The adaptation process was difficult at first. It takes time for this process to be completed. I would have liked it to be over in a shorter time, but it takes time to adapt to a new team and a new country.”
Lundstram’s ability to remain calm under pressure, combined with his defensive intelligence and ability to play out from the back, has won over a previously skeptical fanbase. His leadership and experience have also been invaluable in stabilizing a team that seemed to lack direction earlier in the campaign.
While Lundstram’s journey in Turkish football has not been without its challenges, it is clear that he has turned a corner, both personally and professionally. Trabzonspor, once in danger of relegation, now look like a team brimming with potential, and Lundstram’s contributions have been central to that transformation. His journey is a testament to the value of perseverance and adaptability in football, proving that even after a rocky start, a player can find success in a new environment by embracing change and stepping up when it matters most.