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 following his departure from Liverpool at the conclusion of the last campaign. Salah arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday, where he was met by numerous fans, to finalise his transfer to Trabzonspor.
The official signing ceremony for Salah is scheduled to take place on Thursday. During his tenure with Liverpool, the 34-year-old established himself as a prominent figure in the Premier League, securing two league titles and the Champions League as part of eight major honours. He recorded 257 goals in 442 appearances for the Merseyside club.
Salah’s Career Transition
Salah had one year remaining on his Liverpool contract but announced in March his intention to leave the club after a season in which he scored 12 goals and experienced a public disagreement with then-coach Arne Slot. Trabzonspor, a club with seven Turkish championship titles, finished third in the league last season.
His move to Trabzonspor comes after speculation about his next destination, with many anticipating a move to Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer (MLS), or one of Istanbul’s major clubs. Trabzonspor, by contrast, was not widely expected to be his next club. The decision appears to be influenced by both financial considerations and the desire to continue playing in European competitions.
Trabzonspor has committed substantial resources to secure Salah, with reports indicating he will earn approximately $19.5 million per season and receive 20% of the revenue from merchandise bearing his name. While Saudi clubs could have offered more financially, and MLS presented another attractive option, remaining in Europe seemingly held greater importance for Salah.
Trabzonspor concluded last season’s Super Lig in third place and is set to participate in the UEFA Europa League play-offs later this month. A victory would secure their place in the league phase, while a defeat would still guarantee participation in the UEFA Conference League. Although the Turkish top flight is ranked as the 14th strongest domestic league globally by Opta, it provides Salah with consistent European competition.
Impact on Turkish Football
Salah’s choice of Trabzonspor, rather than one of Istanbul’s more globally recognised clubs like Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, or Beşiktaş, highlights a different aspect of his career progression. Trabzonspor, despite not having the same global profile, is one of Turkey’s most successful teams, having won seven league titles, including the Super Lig in the 2021-22 season, and the Turkish Cup last season.
For Salah, this move positions him as a central figure around whom the club’s sporting and commercial ambitions can be built. This was evident even before his arrival in Trabzon, as numerous supporters gathered to welcome him, recognising him as the biggest signing in the club’s history.
Despite his age, Salah’s recent performances suggest he still has significant contributions to make. His final season at Liverpool, though complicated by a strained relationship with coach Arne Slot, saw him score 12 goals across all competitions. The previous year, he achieved 34 goals and 23 assists as Liverpool won the Premier League. He also contributed to Egypt reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with one goal and two assists in five appearances.
The arrival of Salah also signifies a shift in the Turkish league, which is increasingly attracting established international players who still aim to compete at a high level. Players such as Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Nathan Aké, and Leandro Trossard are now playing in Turkiye. Trabzonspor’s squad already includes names like André Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Stefan Savić.
Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, who spent two seasons in Turkiye, believes Salah’s transfer will draw more international attention to the league. Jack noted that his own move to Turkiye led his family and friends to follow the league more closely, and he anticipates a similar effect with Salah’s arrival. He also highlighted the league’s growing reputation, strong stadiums, and competitive environment. Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor offers him European football and a central role in an ambitious sporting project.
Salah’s initial European career included stints at Swiss club Basel in 2012, followed by Chelsea, and then Fiorentina and AS Roma between 2015 and 2017 before joining Liverpool.
Trabzonspor chairman Ertuğrul Doğan confirmed negotiations for Salah’s free transfer, with a signing ceremony expected on Thursday.
Source: aljazeera.com
