Salah signs with Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah's transfer to Trabzonspor was officially announced on Thursday, putting an end to months of speculation. The former Liverpool player signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club after his contract expired at Anfield, marking the end of a career among the most successful in Premier League history.

Several destinations were considered for Salah, including clubs in the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer in the United States. These options offered significantly higher salaries, but it was ultimately Europe that the Egyptian chose by joining Trabzonspor. The Turkish club confirmed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange that Salah will earn £14.5 million per season and receive 20% of the revenue from merchandise bearing his likeness. Trabzonspor, which finished third in the last Turkish league, is currently playing in the Europa League playoffs this month. A qualification for the group stage would allow them to participate in the competition, while a failure would relegate them to the Europa Conference League. For a player who helped Egypt reach the World Cup Round of 16 this summer and delivered one of his best seasons in 2024-25, the prospect of continuing to compete in European tournaments clearly played a key role in his decision. Trabzonspor, however, was not the most obvious choice for a player of his caliber, as the traditional powerhouses in Turkey are Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş in Istanbul.

A historic club away from the media spotlight

Although Trabzonspor does not enjoy the same level of fame as Turkey’s giants, the club remains a major force in domestic football. With seven Turkish league titles and a national cup victory last season, it finished third in the last championship, securing a spot in the European playoffs. Its status as a seven-time champion and recent success make it a far more ambitious club than an outsider. Upon his arrival, Salah became the biggest signing in the club’s history. Hundreds of supporters welcomed him before his departure for Trabzon, highlighting the excitement generated by his transfer. Former Scotland international Ryan Jack, who has played in Turkey for the past two seasons, explained to BBC Sport the passion of local fans: “It’s a unique aspect of Turkish football: the fans are incredibly passionate. Even the big clubs have massive support and invest heavily in their teams.” During his presentation, Salah symbolically wore the number 61 jersey, referencing Trabzon’s regional code, before switching to the number 10 for the upcoming season at the player’s request and with the agreement of his teammate Ernest Muci.

The Süper Lig, a league on the rise

Salah's transfer is part of a broader trend of global stars joining the Turkish Super Lig. Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané, Ilkay Gündoğan, Nathan Aké, and Leandro Trossard are among the notable players now plying their trade in the Turkish league. Trabzonspor already boasts internationals such as André Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Stefan Savić in their ranks. According to Opta data, the Super Lig currently ranks 14th among global domestic leagues, behind leagues like Denmark or Poland, and even behind England's Championship. Despite growing ambitions, Turkish clubs still struggle to shine in Europe. Since Galatasaray's UEFA Cup victory in 2000, only one Turkish club has reached the semi-finals of a major UEFA competition. For Salah, this move represents a compromise: he remains in Europe, continues to play in continental competitions, and does so in one of the most passionate environments. The Egyptian, now in the latter stages of his career, has still shown his class at the 2026 World Cup, scoring a goal and providing two assists in five matches for Egypt. Despite a difficult season at Liverpool (5th place in the Premier League and just 12 goals across all competitions), he remains one of the most experienced and respected players in world football. Trabzonspor plans to leverage his experience to build their attack. Under Fatih Tekke, the team typically lines up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Salah positioned on the right wing, where he can cut onto his stronger left foot. The club could also opt for a 4-3-3 without significantly altering his role, making him the spearhead of the attack. His first match in his new colors is scheduled for August 15 against Kasimpasa in the opening game of the Turkish league, followed by a Europa League playoff against Ferencváros (Hungary) or Górnik Zabrze (Poland). For Trabzonspor, this transfer goes far beyond on-field expectations. Salah brings immediate global visibility, strengthens commercial opportunities, and embodies one of the most media-savvy footballers of his generation. Ryan Jack believes his arrival could spark renewed interest in the Turkish league: "Liverpool fans, and those who enjoy watching Salah, will inevitably take an interest in the Super Lig. When I arrived, my family started watching matches because they didn’t know much about Turkish football. Salah’s transfer will draw attention to the league."