Mohamed Salah is on the verge of beginning a new chapter in his career after arriving in Turkey ahead of his expected move to Trabzonspor, where hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome the Egyptian superstar.
The 34-year-old forward landed at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport on Wednesday wearing Trabzonspor’s famous burgundy and blue colours, fueling excitement among fans eager to see one of Africa’s greatest footballers join the Turkish club.
Trabzonspor confirmed on Tuesday that negotiations with the former Liverpool winger were underway. Club chairman Ertugrul Dogan later revealed that the club hopes to complete the free-transfer signing during an official unveiling ceremony scheduled for Thursday in Trabzon.
In a video shared on the club’s social media platforms before his arrival, Salah greeted supporters with an enthusiastic message.
“Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon,” Salah said, before adding the club’s popular slogan: “Everywhere is Trabzon to us.”
Upon touching down in Istanbul, Salah was greeted by cheering fans who chanted his name. The Egyptian international responded by waving to supporters and joining in one of the club’s traditional chants before heading for his medical examination and a connecting flight to Trabzon.
Salah leaves Liverpool after an unforgettable nine-year spell that established him as one of the greatest players in the club’s modern history. During his time at Anfield, he scored 257 goals in 442 appearances, winning two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League among several major honours.
His 2024/25 campaign was one of the finest of his career, producing 29 Premier League goals and 18 assists to equal the competition’s record for the most goal involvements in a single season. He also became the first player to win the Premier League Player of the Season award, the Golden Boot and the Playmaker Award in the same campaign.
However, his influence declined last season, managing seven league goals and seven assists in 27 appearances while finding himself on the bench for several UEFA Champions League matches. Reports of a strained relationship with then-manager Arne Slot also dominated headlines during the campaign.
Salah began his European journey with Swiss side Basel before spells at Chelsea, Fiorentina and AS Roma, eventually joining Liverpool in 2017.
Trabzonspor, widely regarded as Turkey’s fourth biggest club behind Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, finished third in last season’s Turkish Super Lig and will compete in the UEFA Europa League play-off round. Details of Salah’s expected contract have not yet been made public.
