Salah’s move to Turkey
Mohamed Salah has joined Turkish club Trabzonspor on a free transfer. The move follows his departure from Liverpool after mutually agreeing to end his contract a year early. Salah spent nine years at Anfield, during which he scored 257 goals in 442 games, making him the club’s third-highest goalscorer. He also lifted seven major trophies with Liverpool, including the Premier League twice and the Champions League.
The forward’s final season at Liverpool was described as difficult, with reports of him being dropped and a public disagreement with then-head coach Arne Slot.
Trabzonspor announced Salah’s signing to the Turkish stock exchange. The club finished third in last season’s Super Lig, which secured their place in the Europa League play-offs. If they win their two-leg play-off, they will qualify for the league phase; otherwise, they will enter the Conference League.
Financial details and European ambition
Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor has drawn attention, particularly as he had been a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer. Reports indicate that Saudi clubs had identified the Egyptian as a priority target, with Al-Ittihad making an approach. However, Salah opted to remain in Europe.
Trabzonspor confirmed in a posting to the Turkish stock exchange that Salah will be paid £14.5m per season. He is also set to receive a 20% share of revenue from Salah-branded merchandise, along with conditional bonuses each season. While this is a substantial package, it is reportedly less than what he could have earned in Saudi Arabia.
Staying in European football appears to have been a significant factor in Salah’s choice. He helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of this summer’s World Cup and had a strong individual campaign in 2024-25. Trabzonspor’s participation in UEFA competition aligns with his desire to continue playing at a high level.
Trabzonspor’s growing profile
Trabzonspor, while not one of Turkey’s traditional Istanbul powerhouses like Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, or Besiktas, has a notable history. They are seven-time Turkish champions, having last won the Super Lig in 2021-22, and also lifted last season’s Turkish Cup. The club’s third-place finish in the league earned them another opportunity for European qualification.
Salah’s arrival is considered the biggest signing in the club’s history, generating considerable excitement among supporters. Hundreds of fans gathered to welcome him upon his arrival in Istanbul. During his unveiling, he briefly wore a symbolic number 61 shirt, a tribute to the city of Trabzon. For the 2026-27 season, Salah will wear the number 10 shirt, a number he also wears for Egypt, after teammate Ernest Muci agreed to relinquish it.
The Super Lig has seen a growing number of high-profile players join its ranks, including Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nathan Ake, and Leandro Trossard. Andre Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Stefan Savic are already part of the Trabzonspor squad. The league’s increasing ambition was highlighted last summer when it recorded the third-highest net transfer spend globally, behind only the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League.
Economically, Turkish clubs benefit from generating income in euros through UEFA competitions, while many domestic operating costs are in Turkish lira. This, combined with the impact of high inflation on the relative value of existing domestic debt, provides clubs with financial flexibility. This allows them to offer competitive salaries, passionate fanbases, and European football to players in the later stages of their careers. The league’s profile is seen as continuing to rise.
While the Super Lig is ranked by Opta as the 14th strongest domestic league globally, the move allows Salah to continue playing in European competition within a fervent environment. His final season at Liverpool saw him score 12 goals across all competitions, a decrease from his 34 goals and 23 assists in the season prior when Liverpool won the Premier League title. Trabzonspor is expected to build their attack around Salah, with him likely occupying his familiar position on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation.
Salah signed a two-year contract.
Source: skysports.com