Mohamed Salah has officially signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor, marking his move to Turkiye for the upcoming season. The Egypt international joined the club as a free agent after concluding his tenure with Liverpool at the end of the previous campaign. His arrival in Istanbul on Wednesday was met by numerous fans, and his official signing ceremony is scheduled for later Thursday.
Salah, at 34 years old, established a notable career with Liverpool in the Premier League. During his time with the Merseyside club, he secured two league titles and the Champions League, contributing to eight major honours. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for Liverpool and is considered among the club’s prominent players.
Move to Trabzonspor
Despite having a year remaining on his contract with Liverpool, Salah announced his departure in March following a campaign where he scored 12 goals and experienced a public disagreement with then-coach Arne Slot. Trabzonspor, a club that has won the Turkish championship seven times, finished third last season.
The decision to join Trabzonspor comes after speculation that Salah might move to leagues in Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer (MLS), or even one of Turkey’s larger Istanbul clubs. However, his move to Trabzonspor, described as an unexpected choice, was influenced by both footballing considerations and financial aspects.
Trabzonspor has committed significant resources to the deal, with Salah expected to earn around $19.5 million per season and receive 20% of the revenue from merchandise bearing his name. While Saudi clubs reportedly had the financial capacity to offer more, and MLS presented another attractive option, remaining in Europe appeared to be a priority for Salah.
Trabzonspor concluded last season’s Super Lig in third place, which qualifies them for the UEFA Europa League play-offs later this month. A victory in the play-offs would lead to the league phase, while a defeat would still guarantee participation in the UEFA Conference League. The Turkish top flight is currently ranked as the 14th strongest domestic league in world football by Opta, offering regular European competition.
Impact and League Growth
For Salah, who helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, continuing to compete in Europe was an important factor. While Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş have historically dominated Turkish football’s transfer news, Trabzonspor offered Salah a central role where the club’s sporting and commercial ambitions could be built around him.
Even before his arrival in Trabzon, hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome him, highlighting his significance as the biggest signing in the club’s history. Despite his age, Salah’s recent performances indicate he still has much to offer. His final season at Liverpool, though complicated by his relationship with coach Arne Slot, saw him score 12 goals across all competitions.
The previous year, he had a strong individual campaign, scoring 34 goals and providing 23 assists as Liverpool won the Premier League. He then contributed to Egypt’s progress to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with one goal and two assists in five appearances.
Fatih Tekke is not signing a player whose value is solely based on past achievements. Trabzonspor is expected to utilise Salah in his familiar right-sided attacking role, allowing him to cut inside onto his stronger left foot and remain a focal point of the team’s attack.
Salah’s transfer also reflects the evolving landscape of Turkish football. The Super Lig has increasingly become a destination for established international players who seek to continue competing at a high level. Prominent players such as Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Nathan Aké, and Leandro Trossard are now playing in Turkey. Trabzonspor already includes players like André Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Stefan Savić in its squad.
Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, who spent two seasons in Turkey, believes Salah’s arrival will draw more international attention to the competition. Jack noted that his family and friends began watching games after he moved there, and he anticipates Salah’s move will similarly encourage more people to follow the league. Jack also stated that the league is strengthening annually, attracting more significant names, and Salah is likely the biggest name to move to Turkey in recent years, potentially encouraging other top players to consider joining.
Salah’s choice of Trabzonspor, offering European football and a central role in an ambitious sporting project, aligns with his priorities, even if it was not the outcome many anticipated when he left Liverpool.
His official signing ceremony is scheduled for later Thursday.
Source: aljazeera.com
