Mohamed Salah has chosen Trabzonspor as his new club after parting ways with Liverpool when his contract expired at the end of the previous season. The Egyptian winger has already landed in Turkey to finalize the move and was spotted wearing the team’s jersey before putting pen to paper.
The decision caught many off guard, especially since Salah was among the Premier League’s top performers just two seasons ago, racking up 29 goals and 18 assists in the 2024-25 campaign. But his last year at Anfield was a different story, featuring fewer minutes and just seven league goals after a public disagreement with then-manager Arne Slot.
The reason behind Salah’s switch to Trabzonspor
Most observers expected Salah to receive offers from the Saudi Pro League, Major League Soccer, or another top European side competing in the Champions League. Instead, the 34-year-old picked Trabzonspor, a move that almost no one saw coming.
His reduced role during his final season at Liverpool seems to have limited the number of interested clubs, which made the Turkish outfit’s proposal stand out. Since no transfer fee was involved, Trabzonspor could put more of their budget toward the player’s wages.
Trabzonspor’s place in Turkish football
Trabzonspor are considered the fourth biggest club in Turkey, trailing Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas. Based in the coastal city of Trabzon on the Black Sea, they have claimed the Turkish league title seven times, with their most recent triumph coming in the 2021-22 season.
The team, led by former Turkey international Fatih Tekke, ended last season in third place in the Super Lig. Their spot in the Europa League group stage is still uncertain, as they face a two-legged playoff later this month.
If the transfer goes through, Salah will instantly become the most high-profile signing in the club’s history. Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and ex-Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe are among the notable names who have previously played for Trabzonspor.
Salah’s arrival brings financial and marketing benefits
The current Trabzonspor squad includes Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, as well as Cape Verde World Cup players Wagner Pina and Sidny Lopes Cabral, the latter having scored against Argentina.
Bringing in Salah without a transfer fee gives the club more room to satisfy the salary demands of a player whose last Liverpool deal was reportedly worth £400,000 per week. On top of his impact on the field, the Egypt captain also brings significant commercial value to the club and its sponsors, including main shirt partner Papapa, which also holds the naming rights to the stadium.
Salah lands in Turkey ahead of official announcement
Salah has already been seen in Trabzonspor gear ahead of his formal introduction. He is set to arrive in the city before signing his contract on Thursday.
In a video recorded on a private jet and posted to social media, the Egyptian star addressed fans directly, saying: “Trabzon, are you ready? See you very soon.”