Mohamed Salah: why the Liverpool legend chose the
Why it matters
Mohamed Salah's choice to join Trabzonspor marks an important evolution in the Turkish football landscape, highlighting the growing appeal of the Super Lig. The presence of a player of such caliber not only increases the visibility of the club, but could also attract other talents to the Turkish league. Furthermore, his experience in the Premier League could have a significant impact on the team's performance next season.
Context
Mohamed Salah, after a successful career with Liverpool, has chosen to continue his football adventure in Europe by signing with Trabzonspor. This transfer not only represents a change of direction for the player, but also an opportunity for the Turkish club to raise its profile in European football and the Super Lig.
Key points
- Mohamed Salah: why the Liverpool legend chose.
- Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor, surprising many by choosing the Turkish club over lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and MLS.
- Mohamed Salah: Why Liverpool legend chose Trabzonspor - BBC Sport.
After months of speculation, Mohamed Salah's next destination has finally been confirmed. The Liverpool legend signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor on Thursday after his contract at Anfield expired, bringing to an end one of the most successful careers in Premier League history. The choice surprised many. For years, Saudi Pro League clubs have chased Salah, while Major League Soccer was also seen as a realistic destination for one of world football's biggest stars. Instead, the 34-year-old remained in Europe by joining Trabzonspor, a club better known for disrupting Turkey's established order rather than dominating it. So why did Salah choose Trabzonspor and what can they expect from each other? It's not just a question of money. Saudi clubs had long identified the Egyptian as one of their priority targets, with Al-Ittihad even making a final offer, while Sporting Kansas City were among the MLS clubs interested in bringing him to the United States. Both destinations could have offered huge monetary rewards. Instead, Salah chose to stay in European football. It will be very well paid in Türkiye. In a statement to the Turkish stock exchange, Trabzonspor confirmed they will be paid £14.5m per season and will receive a 20% share of revenue from Salah-branded merchandise. Trabzonspor finished third in the last Super Lig championship and will participate in this month's UEFA Europa League play-offs. Victory over two rounds would see them qualify for the group stage of the competition, while a defeat would see them enter the Conference League. For a player who helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of this summer's World Cup and produced one of the best seasons of his career in 2024-25, continuing to compete in a UEFA competition appears to have played a significant role in his decision. If Salah was determined to stay in Europe, Trabzonspor may not have been the obvious choice. Turkey's traditional powerhouses are Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, and most of the big names who have moved to the country recently have historically chosen one of the Istanbul clubs. Besiktas had also attempted to sign Salah before negotiations fell through due to the financial structure of the deal, thus paving the way for Trabzonspor. Although they lack the global profile of Turkey's biggest clubs, Trabzonspor are by no means outsiders. They are seven-time Turkish champions, won the Super Lig as recently as the 2021-22 season and lifted the last Turkish Cup. Fatih Tekke's team also placed third in the championship, earning another opportunity to qualify for a European competition. Salah instantly becomes the biggest signing in the club's history. The excitement surrounding his arrival underlines this status, as hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome him before he headed to Trabzon. Ryan Jack, a former Scotland midfielder who won the Scottish Championship with Rangers in 2021, has been playing in Türkiye for two seasons and was not surprised by the celebrations. “One thing about Turkish football is that the fans are incredibly passionate,” he told BBC Sport. “The big clubs have huge followings and really support their teams.” During his presentation, Salah briefly wore a symbolic shirt with the number 61 in homage to the city, as the number represents Trabzon's vehicle registration code and has a special meaning among fans, who traditionally celebrate the 61st minute of matches. However, for the 2026-27 season, Salah will wear the number 10 shirt after requesting the number he also wears for Egypt. Teammate Ernest Muci agreed to give up the shirt as a gesture of respect for the club's great signing. Salah's arrival is the latest demonstration of Turkish football's growing appeal to established stars. Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nathan Ake and Leandro Trossard are among the high-profile names now playing in the Super Lig, while Andre Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi and Stefan Savic are already part of Trabzonspor's squad. Last summer, the Super Lig recorded the third-highest net transfer spend in world football, behind only the Premier League and Saudi Pro League, underlining the league's growing ambitions. The economics behind such spending are unusual, however. Turkey's largest clubs generate substantial revenue in euros through UEFA competitions, while many domestic operating costs remain in Turkish lira. The country's prolonged period of high inflation has also reduced the relative value of existing debts, giving clubs more flexibility than might appear. Therefore, it was possible for Trabzonspor to present Salah with an attractive economic package. Reports in Turkey say he has signed a two-year contract until June 2028 worth around £7.3 million a season, below the salary he could have earned in Saudi Arabia, but with additional bonuses and a share of revenue from merchandise linked to him. The result is a league that offers competitive salaries, passionate fans and European football to players nearing the end of their careers. Jack believes the profile of the competition is continuing to grow. “The league is getting stronger every year and you see more and more big names joining it,” he said. "Salah is probably the biggest name to move to Turkey in recent years. This shows that the league is growing and could convince other top players to consider going there. There are big stadiums, big cities and it is a competitive league." His personal experience also confirmed this impression. “I loved it,” Jack added. "Everyone helps you settle in and the people are really friendly. When foreign players arrive, the clubs do everything they can to help them." Despite attracting recognizable names, the Super Lig is still far from the elite of European football competitions. It is currently ranked as the 14th strongest domestic league in world football, according to Opta, behind leagues in countries such as Denmark, Poland and even the English Championship. Turkish clubs have also found it difficult to achieve sustained success in Europe. Since the year 2000, when Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup, only one Turkish club has managed to reach the semi-finals of a UEFA competition, illustrating the gap that continues to exist between the major Turkish clubs and those established in Europe. For Salah, however, the transfer represents a compromise. Instead of moving away from European football, he will be able to continue playing in continental competitions, whilst competing in one of the most passionate environments. Age suggests Salah is entering the twilight of his career, but there is evidence he still has a lot to offer. He inspired Egypt to reach the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, contributing one goal and two assists in five appearances. His final season at Liverpool was more difficult, with the defending Premier League champions slipping to fifth place in a disappointing season. Salah has scored 12 goals in all competitions after taking a backseat under Arne Slot. Just a year earlier, he had produced one of the best individual performances of his career, scoring 34 goals and registering 23 assists in all competitions as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy. Even taking into account his decline last season, few players moving to Türkiye can boast a pedigree comparable to Salah's. Trabzonspor is expected to build their attack around him straight away. Fatih Tekke's side usually operate in a 4-2-3-1, with Salah expected to occupy his usual position as right winger, cutting towards the center with his left foot in the role that has made him one of Europe's most prolific strikers. Tekke can also switch to a 4-3-3 without significantly altering Salah's responsibilities, leaving the Egyptian as the main point of reference for the club's attacking maneuver. His competitive debut could take place on August 15, when Trabzonspor will open their Super Lig campaign away against Kasimpasa, and then quickly focus on a Europa League play-off against Hungarian Ferencvaros or Polish Gornik Zabrze. For Trabzonspor, the transfer goes far beyond what Salah could produce on the pitch. His arrival immediately raises the club's global profile, increases commercial opportunities and provides one of the most 'marketable' footballers of the modern era to one of Turkey's most historic clubs. Jack also believes that Salah's arrival will increase international interest in Turkish football. “I think Liverpool fans and people who love seeing Salah will definitely play more games and start following the league more,” he said. "When I moved there, my family and friends started watching the games because they didn't really know much about Turkish football before. Salah's move will make people notice it more and watch the league more." Meanwhile, for Salah, the transfer offers something perhaps more valuable than another lucrative contract. He stays in Europe, has the chance to compete for national honors and European football, and becomes the undisputed figurehead of one of Turkey's most historic clubs. It may not have been the destination many expected, but for the player and the club, Trabzonspor represents an opportunity to start an ambitious new chapter.
What happens now
With Salah now at Trabzonspor, the Turkish club is expected to make the most of his skills to improve their position in the Super Lig. His integration into the team will be crucial to the club's success, and fans hope he can lead to positive results in the league. Furthermore, Trabzonspor could look to build a competitive team around Salah to face future challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trabzonspor's next match?
Trabzonspor will participate in the UEFA Europa League play-offs this month.
What is the impact of Salah's choice on Trabzonspor in the standings?
Trabzonspor finished third in the last Super Lig championship.
Has Mohammed Salah scored any goals for his new club?
The article does not mention goals scored by Salah in Trabzonspor.
What is Mohamed Salah's contract with Trabzonspor?
Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor.
What is Mohamed Salah's salary at Trabzonspor?
Salah will be paid 14.5 million pounds per season.
