Trabzonspor is preparing to confirm the signing of Mohamed Salah, who arrived in Turkey on Wednesday. The Egypt captain was met by numerous fans at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, where he appeared in Trabzonspor colours. His arrival follows an announcement in March that he would depart Liverpool FC at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season.
Salah, a free agent, concluded his nine-year tenure at Liverpool at the end of the previous season. During his time with the club, he scored 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions, making him the third-highest goalscorer in Liverpool‘s history. He also recorded 193 Premier League goals, with 191 of those for the Reds, placing him fourth on the all-time list.
Salah’s Impact and Club History
The 34-year-old forward’s transfer is considered one of the most significant in Turkish football history for Trabzonspor. The club, based in the north-eastern city of Trabzon, is one of only six teams to have won the Turkish Super Lig. They have secured seven league titles, with six of these victories occurring between 1976 and 1984. Their most recent league success came in 2022, ending a 38-year wait.
Trabzonspor, known as the Black Sea Storm, finished third in the league last season, eight points behind champions Galatasaray. This position qualifies them for European football next season, with Salah set to play in either the Europa League or the Conference League, depending on their performance in the play-offs. Salah has scored 50 Champions League goals in his career.
During his career at Liverpool, Salah contributed to winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the Uefa Super Cup, the FA Cup, and two EFL Cups. He also won the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions and was named the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year three times: in 2018, 2022, and 2025.
Despite scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in Liverpool‘s 2024-25 title-winning season, Salah’s playing time reportedly decreased the following campaign after a disagreement with former Reds head coach Arne Slot.
Strategic Move and Future Targets
The signing of Salah represents a notable shift in strategy for Trabzonspor. The club has typically focused on developing young players and identifying talent with resale potential. This move aims to boost supporter enthusiasm, increase shirt sales, and broaden the club’s commercial appeal, particularly in the Middle East and among the Arab community in Trabzon.
After his departure from Liverpool, Salah was initially reported to be close to an agreement with another Turkish club, Besiktas, but those talks reportedly broke down due to financial reasons. Trabzonspor subsequently announced that negotiations had begun with Salah, teasing his arrival on social media with a video showing the Pyramids next to Papara Park.
Following the significant acquisition of Salah, Trabzonspor is reportedly already pursuing new attacking targets. According to reports, the club has initiated talks to sign Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Al-Hilal. Trabzonspor has reportedly made an offer for Nunez and plans to meet with the player, his representatives, and Al-Hilal‘s management to explore a potential transfer.
Nunez, 27, made 24 appearances for Al-Hilal last season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists. He joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool last summer. Besiktas is also reportedly interested in Nunez, even on a loan basis, after their earlier attempt to sign Salah did not materialize.
The current Trabzonspor squad includes on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, along with Cape Verde‘s World Cup stars Wagner Pina and Sidny Lopes Cabral. Salah’s medical is expected to be completed on Thursday, with his unveiling likely to follow.
Source: bbc.com
