A New Chapter in Turkey
Mohamed Salah has officially confirmed his transition to the Turkish Süper Lig, signing a two-year contract with Trabzonspor. The 34-year-old Egyptian forward, a free agent since departing Liverpool at the end of last season, arrived in Turkey on Wednesday to a massive reception from fans at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. The club confirmed the deal on Tuesday, ending months of speculation regarding the former Premier League star’s next destination.
Salah, who spent nine highly decorated years at Anfield, has been pictured wearing Trabzonspor’s signature burgundy and blue kit. Addressing supporters in a video shared on social media, the forward stated, “Everywhere is Trabzon to us,” referencing the club’s motto, and expressed his readiness to begin his tenure with the Black Sea side. The player is expected to wear the number 61 shirt, a nod to the local province code of Trabzon.
The Path to the Süper Lig
The move represents a surprising turn for Salah, who had been heavily linked with potential moves to the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer (MLS) following his exit from Liverpool. Earlier this summer, negotiations with Turkish rivals Beşiktaş reportedly stalled over discrepancies regarding financial and image-rights demands, leaving the door open for Trabzonspor to secure the deal. Local reports indicate that the contract is valued at approximately €17 million per year.
Salah’s final season at Liverpool was marked by a decline in output and public friction with then-manager Arne Slot. After a record-breaking career at Anfield, where he scored 257 goals in 442 appearances and secured every major trophy including the Premier League and Champions League, the forward’s form dipped significantly, resulting in just seven league goals in his final campaign. His diminished playing time and subsequent public comments regarding his role at the club marked a difficult conclusion to his long-standing tenure in England.
Stakes for Trabzonspor
For Trabzonspor, the signing is a major commercial and sporting coup. Generally considered the fourth-largest club in Turkey behind the Istanbul giants—Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş—the club finished third in the Süper Lig last season. By acquiring a global icon of Salah’s stature, the club aims to elevate its international profile and strengthen its squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Europa League play-off campaign.
The financial commitment required to bring Salah to the Black Sea coast is significant, but the club views the investment as a catalyst for growth. Trabzonspor’s shirt sponsor, Papara, and the club’s stadium partners are expected to benefit from the increased commercial visibility. As he prepares for his medical and official unveiling, Salah arrives as the most high-profile signing in the club’s history, tasked with leading a squad that already features notable talents like Andre Onana and Cape Verde’s World Cup stars.