Mohamed Salah joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract in August 2026 after leaving Liverpool as a free agent. His arrival in Istanbul drew hundreds of supporters before the move was formally completed in Trabzon the following day.
Salah’s arrival in Istanbul
Salah arrived at Istanbul Atatürk Airport on 5 August wearing Trabzonspor’s burgundy-and-blue colours. Supporters gathered inside and outside the terminal as the Egyptian forward travelled to Turkey to complete the final stages of the transfer.
Trabzonspor had already announced that negotiations were under way. Salah also appeared in a short club video addressing supporters before continuing to Trabzon for his medical examination and signing ceremony.
At that stage, the transfer had not yet been completed. The original report should therefore no longer describe the move only as an expected signing.
Trabzonspor confirms a two-year contract
On 6 August, Trabzonspor confirmed that Salah had signed a two-year contract.
The 34-year-old joined on a free transfer following the end of his Liverpool career and was presented to thousands of supporters at Papara Park. He was assigned the number 10 shirt.
The club disclosed financial details of the agreement through the Turkish stock exchange, including Salah’s annual salary and a share of revenue from merchandise carrying his name. The value and conditions of additional performance bonuses were not fully disclosed.
A new chapter after Liverpool
Salah left Liverpool after nine seasons in England. He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for the club and contributed to a period that included two Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
His European career began with Basel before spells at Chelsea, Fiorentina and Roma. He moved from Roma to Liverpool in 2017 and established himself as one of the club’s leading goalscorers.
The move to Trabzonspor placed him in the Turkish Süper Lig for the first time and ended speculation that his next destination would be in Saudi Arabia or another European league.
Why the signing matters for Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish league during the season preceding Salah’s arrival, securing a place in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. The club’s most recent domestic league title came in the 2021–22 season.
Adding Salah strengthened the attacking options available to the team, but his reputation alone does not determine how Trabzonspor will perform domestically or in European competition. Results will depend on his form, the wider squad and the team’s performances across the season.
Salah scores his first Trabzonspor goals
Salah opened his Turkish league account on 23 August, scoring twice in Trabzonspor’s 2-1 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir.
The match was his first league start for the club. He scored early in the first half and restored Trabzonspor’s lead after Başakşehir had equalised, helping the team record its first league win of the season.
The result provided the first competitive indication of how Salah could contribute to the team following the attention surrounding his arrival and presentation.