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. Salah arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday to finalize the transfer and was met by numerous fans.
His official signing ceremony is scheduled for Thursday. Salah, who is 34 years old, established a significant legacy during his time at Liverpool, where he secured two league titles and the Champions League, among eight major honours. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for the Merseyside club and is considered one of their most notable players.
Salah’s move to Trabzonspor
Salah’s departure from Liverpool came despite having a year remaining on his contract. He had announced his intention to leave the club in March following a campaign where 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.
The decision to join Trabzonspor has been described as an unexpected, yet carefully considered, next step for Salah. While financial considerations are often part of such high-profile transfers, the figures alone may not fully explain his choice. Trabzonspor has committed substantial resources, with Salah reportedly set to earn around $19.5 million per season and receive 20% of merchandise revenue bearing his name.
Reports suggest that clubs in Saudi Arabia could have offered more financially, and Major League Soccer (MLS) presented another appealing option. However, remaining in Europe appears to have been a significant factor in Salah’s decision. Trabzonspor‘s third-place finish in the Super Lig last season means they will participate in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. Success in these play-offs would lead to the league phase, while a defeat would still guarantee participation in the UEFA Conference League.
European competition and club ambitions
Although the Turkish top flight is not considered among Europe’s elite leagues, it offers Salah consistent European competition. For a player who helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of a recent FIFA World Cup, continuing to compete in Europe was an important aspect of his career planning.
Historically, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş have dominated transfer news in Turkish football. Salah had been linked with some of these clubs previously. However, Trabzonspor offered a different kind of appeal: a central role. The club, while not having the global profile of its Istanbul rivals, is one of Turkey’s most successful teams, having won the Super Lig in the 2021-22 season and the Turkish Cup last season. They also have aspirations for returning to European group-stage football.
Salah’s arrival positions him as the focal point for the club’s sporting and commercial ambitions. This was evident even before his arrival in Trabzon, with many supporters gathering to welcome him as the biggest signing in the club’s history. Despite his age, Salah’s recent performances indicate he still has much to offer beyond his reputation.
His final season at Liverpool was complicated by his relationship with coach Arne Slot, leading to the early termination of his contract. Even so, Salah concluded that season with 12 goals across all competitions. In the season prior, he had a strong individual campaign, scoring 34 goals and providing 23 assists as Liverpool won the Premier League.
Fatih Tekke is therefore acquiring a player whose value extends beyond past achievements. Trabzonspor is expected to utilize Salah in his familiar right-sided attacking role, allowing him to cut inside and remain a key part of the team’s offense. Salah’s transfer also highlights the evolving nature of the Turkish league, which is increasingly attracting established international players who seek to continue competing at a high level.
The Super Lig has become a destination for prominent players, with names such as Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Nathan Aké, and Leandro Trossard now playing in Turkey. Trabzonspor‘s current squad already includes players like André Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Stefan Savić. Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack believes Salah’s move will draw increased international attention to the competition. Salah’s official signing ceremony is scheduled for later on Thursday.
Source: aljazeera.com
