Mohamed Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor has shocked the football world. After leaving Liverpool as a free agent at the end of last season, few expected one of the greatest African footballers of all time to choose Turkey’s fourth biggest club over offers that many assumed would come from Saudi Arabia, Major League Soccer or Europe’s elite.
The Egypt captain has already arrived in Turkey and has been pictured in Trabzonspor colours ahead of signing his contract on Thursday. He will wear the iconic number 61 shirt, marking the beginning of one of the most intriguing chapters of his remarkable career.
At first glance, the move feels unexpected. Salah is only two seasons removed from a sensational Premier League campaign in which he scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists during the 2024 and 2025 season. Although his influence declined in his final year at Liverpool, seven league goals hardly erase everything he achieved at Anfield.
However, football rarely rewards reputation alone. Salah’s relationship with former Liverpool manager Arne Slot reportedly deteriorated, while his playing time also reduced significantly. Those factors inevitably affected his market, even for a player with his pedigree.
A Gamble that Could Benefit both Salah and Trabzonspor
Many expected Salah to follow a familiar path. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all moved to Saudi Arabia after leaving Europe. Lionel Messi and Son Heung Min became marquee names in Major League Soccer, while Kevin De Bruyne chose Serie A champions Napoli after leaving Manchester City.
Turkey has also attracted high profile stars in recent years, but they usually head to Istanbul giants Galatasaray, Fenerbahce or Besiktas. Galatasaray boast Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane, while Fenerbahce and Besiktas strengthened this summer with the arrivals of Nathan Ake from Manchester City and Leandro Trossard from Arsenal.
Trabzonspor operate on a different level. Based in the Black Sea city of Trabzon, the club has won seven Turkish league titles, with the most recent coming in the 2021 and 2022 season. Under former Turkey international Fatih Tekke, they finished third in the Super Lig last season behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Even so, European football is not guaranteed. Trabzonspor still need to navigate a two legged play off to secure a place in the Europa League league phase.
That makes Salah’s decision even more fascinating.
He instantly becomes the biggest signing in the club’s history. While Trabzonspor previously attracted players such as Daniel Sturridge and Nicolas Pepe, neither arrived with Salah’s global status or commercial appeal.
The current squad also includes Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, alongside Cape Verde World Cup stars Wagner Pina and Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose spectacular strike against Argentina became one of the tournament’s defining moments.
Financially, the transfer also makes sense. Since Salah joined as a free agent, Trabzonspor avoided paying a transfer fee and could instead direct more resources toward his salary. His previous Liverpool contract reportedly earned him around £400,000 per week, making wages a crucial part of any negotiation.
Off the pitch, the move could transform Trabzonspor’s global profile. Salah remains one of football’s biggest commercial attractions, especially across Africa and the Middle East. His arrival is expected to boost shirt sales, sponsorship opportunities and international attention for both the club and its partners, including stadium naming rights sponsor Papapa.
Critics may question why Salah chose Trabzonspor instead of another Champions League contender. Yet this move could offer something equally valuable. Rather than becoming another superstar in a league already packed with famous names, he has the chance to become the face of an ambitious club and elevate it to new heights.
Salah has already embraced the occasion. Speaking in a video filmed aboard a private jet before his arrival, he sent a simple message to supporters: “Trabzon, are you ready? See you very soon.”
Whether this proves to be the perfect final chapter of his playing career or an unexpected detour, one thing is already clear. Mohamed Salah has once again ensured that the football world is watching.
