Mohamed Salah Arrives in Turkey to Complete Free Transfer to Trabzonspor

Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has arrived in Turkey to complete a free transfer to Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor, ending his nine-year spell at Anfield and sparking debate over why the 34-year-old Egypt international chose Turkey over a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

Salah's Departure from Liverpool

Mohamed Salah's nine-year association with Liverpool came to an end this summer through a mutual agreement to terminate his contract a year early. The 34-year-old Egyptian forward had signed an extension in April 2025, but a difficult 2025-26 season saw him dropped and publicly fall out with then-head coach Arne Slot, making his departure all but inevitable.

Salah leaves Anfield as one of the club's greatest-ever players. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions, making him Liverpool's third-highest goalscorer in history. During his time on Merseyside, he lifted seven major trophies, including the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, and became a global icon for the club.

The departure marks a significant shift for Liverpool, who had previously rejected a £150 million offer from Saudi club Al Ittihad for Salah less than three years ago. That Saudi interest had long been considered the most likely destination for Salah when he eventually left England, making his move to Turkey all the more surprising.

The Trabzonspor Deal

Turkish club Trabzonspor announced earlier this week that it had opened talks with the former Liverpool forward, and on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Salah arrived at Istanbul Atatürk Airport's General Aviation Terminal before travelling to Trabzon to complete formalities. The club confirmed that details of the player's official reception would be announced through its media channels.

Turkish media reported that Salah is expected to sign a two-year contract worth an annual salary of 17 million euros, together with a 5 million euro signing bonus and a share of shirt sales — though the club has not officially confirmed the financial details. The deal represents a significant coup for Trabzonspor, one of Turkey's most storied clubs and the 2021-22 Turkish Super Lig champions.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season, which means they will enter the Europa League playoffs — giving Salah a continued platform in European competition. The club is based in the northeastern port city of Trabzon on the Black Sea coast.

Why Turkey Over Saudi Arabia?

The move to Trabzonspor has raised eyebrows among football observers, who had widely expected Salah to follow other ageing European stars to the Saudi Pro League. Former Premier League defender John Curtis, speaking on Sky Sports News' Transfer Show, expressed surprise at the decision.

"The obvious one is the money. I'm sure. I think it's rumoured to be 17m a year or something like that. So you know that translates to a little bit less maybe than he was earning at Liverpool, and probably significantly less than he could have got in Saudi Arabia," Curtis said.

He added that the competitive level of the Turkish Super Lig — while respectable — represents a step down for a player who has spent nearly a decade competing at the highest level in the Premier League and Champions League. "It's very easy to play with top players. So, is this a step down? Obviously, those players are very good players, but most of Salah is used to working with the very best, and that impacts you as a player. So, again, it becomes a little bit of a shock."

The decision may reflect Salah's desire to remain in a competitive European league while still commanding a substantial salary, rather than opting for the financial windfall of Saudi Arabia at the cost of competitive relevance.

What This Means for Trabzonspor

Securing Salah represents a major statement of intent for Trabzonspor as they prepare for their Europa League campaign. The club's supporters — known as the "Bordo-Mavililer" (the Burgundy-Blues) — gave Salah a hero's welcome upon his arrival, with hundreds of fans gathering at the airport to greet the Egyptian superstar.

Trabzonspor has historically been one of Turkey's most successful clubs outside the Istanbul "Big Three" (Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş), and Salah's arrival significantly raises their profile both domestically and internationally. The club will hope his experience and goalscoring prowess can propel them deep into the Europa League and challenge for the Super Lig title.

Salah's Legacy at Anfield

Regardless of where his career takes him next, Mohamed Salah's place in Liverpool history is secure. Since arriving from AS Roma in 2017, he transformed the club's attack, won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, and helped deliver Liverpool's first league title in 30 years during the 2019-20 season.

His 257 goals in 442 games place him behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool's all-time scoring charts. He also provided countless assists, created memorable moments, and established himself as a fan favourite at Anfield. His departure marks the end of an era for Liverpool as the club moves forward under a new managerial regime.