Trabzonspor set to sign Mohamed Salah after his arrival in Turkey

By Megan Sinclair — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool forward and captain of the Egypt national team, is expected to join Turkish club Trabzonspor. Hundreds of fans greeted Salah at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on Wednesday, where he appeared in Trabzonspor colours.

The 34-year-old forward departed Liverpool at the conclusion of last season after a nine-year tenure on Merseyside, during which he scored 257 goals. As a free agent, Trabzonspor is able to allocate more of its budget towards Salah’s wages.

Salah’s Impact in Turkey

Salah’s arrival is considered one of the most significant transfers in Turkish football history. He will participate in European football with Trabzonspor next season, following the club’s third-place finish in the Super Lig, eight points behind champions Galatasaray.

If Trabzonspor does not advance to the league phase of the Europa League through the play-offs, they will compete in the Conference League. The club, nicknamed the Black Sea Storm, has secured seven league titles, with their most recent success in 2022 ending a 38-year wait.

Trabzonspor, based in the north-eastern city of Trabzon, is one of only six teams to have won the Turkish Super Lig. Salah’s signing is anticipated to be the club’s largest, as he joins former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe in wearing the claret and sky blue kit.

The transfer is a notable strategic shift for Trabzonspor, which has typically focused on developing young players and identifying talent with resale potential. The club hopes Salah’s presence will boost supporter attendance and significantly increase shirt sales.

His commercial appeal, particularly in the Middle East and among the Arab community in Trabzon, is also expected to grow. This move signals a renewed sense of excitement for the club.

Career Highlights and Recent Form

During his time 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.

In the 2024-25 season, Salah scored 29 Premier League goals and provided 18 assists, equalling the league record for most goal involvements in a single season and setting a record for a 38-game campaign. He was also named Premier League Player of the Season, won the Golden Boot, and the Playmaker Award, becoming the first player to achieve all three in one campaign.

However, his output saw a decline last season, with seven goals and seven assists in 27 league matches. He was also benched in Champions League games, which reportedly led to a public disagreement with then-Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

Salah began his European career with Swiss side Basel in 2012, later playing for Chelsea, Fiorentina, and Roma between 2015 and 2017 before joining Liverpool.

Negotiations and Arrival

Trabzonspor announced on Tuesday that negotiations with Salah were underway. The club chairman, Ertugrul Dogan, stated that they anticipated signing the 34-year-old on a free transfer at a ceremony in the Black Sea city on Thursday.

Salah had previously been close to joining another Turkish club, Besiktas, but those negotiations reportedly stalled due to financial and image-rights demands. Trabzonspor posted a video on social media featuring Salah saying, “Trabzon, are you ready? See you very soon,” while onboard a private jet.

Upon his arrival at Ataturk Airport, Salah waved to supporters and participated in a traditional chant before proceeding to a medical check and a planned flight to Trabzon.

Source: bbc.co.uk